Cost of Living in
Longview, TX

The Longview Cost of Living Reality Check: Forget the Averages

Let's cut through the marketing brochure nonsense. You’re looking at Longview, Texas, because you heard it’s "cheaper." And sure, the Cost of Living (COL) index sits at 97.2, which technically sits just below the national average of 100. But that number is a statistical lie. It smooths over the jagged edges of local tax structures, utility monopolies, and a housing market that is starting to feel the squeeze of the I-20 corridor expansion. If you are a single earner trying to replicate a middle-class lifestyle, the math gets ugly fast. The median household income here hovers around $57,211, which splits down the middle to roughly $31,466 per earner for a two-income household. For a single person, that $31,466 is the baseline survival line—not the comfort line. To actually live here without drowning in debt, you need to understand where the financial bleed happens, because the "sticker shock" in Longview isn't at the grocery store; it’s hidden in the tax bill and the insurance premium.

The Big Items: Where Your Paycheck Goes to Die

Housing is the first hurdle, and it’s currently a weird mix of stagnation and sudden spikes. If you are looking to rent, the market is tight but manageable. A one-bedroom unit averages $930 a month, while a two-bedroom will run you $1,102. That seems reasonable on paper, but you have to factor in the "move-in costs"—application fees, deposits that often equal a full month's rent, and the inevitable rent hike after the first year. Landlords in Gregg County are getting wise to the influx of workers and are pushing rents up to match the perceived value of the area. Buying, however, is where the trap snaps shut. While the prompt lists "None" for median home price, the reality on the ground is a scarcity of inventory under $250,000. Interest rates hovering around 6.5-7% mean you aren't just fighting the house price; you're fighting the amortization schedule. For a $250,000 home with 10% down, you're looking at a mortgage payment that easily eclipses $1,800 a month once you factor in PMI and taxes. That is a massive chunk of a $31,466 annual salary.

Taxes are the silent killer in Texas. The state boasts "no income tax," which is the first thing relocators hear, and it’s the last thing they think about when the property tax bill arrives. Gregg County property taxes are no joke. While rates fluctuate based on specific school districts and municipalities, you are looking at an effective rate often exceeding 2.1% to 2.3% of the home's assessed value. On a $250,000 home, that is an annual tax bill of roughly $5,250 to $5,750. That money comes out of your pocket before you pay the mortgage principal. When you combine the property tax burden with the sales tax rate of 8.25%, you realize the state is getting its money one way or another. You aren't saving on taxes; you're just shifting where you pay them, and the property tax bite is sharp enough to draw blood.

Groceries and gas show the most variance against the national baseline. In Longview, you aren't paying New York City prices for a carton of eggs, but the local variance is dictated by the lack of competition. You have your standard big-box stores, but the "neighborhood" grocers often charge a premium of 10-15% on staples. Gas prices fluctuate wildly based on the refinery output and proximity to the pipelines, but you can generally expect to pay slightly below the national average—perhaps $2.75 to $3.00 per gallon. However, the electric bill is a specific local pain point. At 14.94 cents per kWh, the electricity rate is actually higher than many neighboring states or deregulated markets. In the humid East Texas summer, running the AC at a comfortable 72 degrees can easily generate bills exceeding $200 for a modest 1,200 sq. ft. apartment. That is a recurring monthly "tax" that the COL index rarely accounts for accurately.

Hidden 'Gotcha' Costs: The Nickel and Diming

Longview bills itself as a relaxed, driving city, but that convenience comes with a price tag attached to your bumper. There is a specific toll road infrastructure in the region (the Dallas-area network bleeds over), and if you make the mistake of driving through a toll booth without a tag, the administrative fees multiply rapidly. A $2.00 toll can easily turn into a $15.00 bill if you miss the payment window. If you buy a home in one of the newer developments—specifically areas like Gladewater or expanding parts of Longview—you are walking straight into the arms of Homeowners Associations (HOAs). These aren't just for luxury condos anymore; they are for cookie-cutter subdivisions. Expect to bleed $40 to $100 a month in HOA fees for the privilege of having your trash picked up and your mailbox color regulated.

Then there is insurance. Texas homeowners insurance is in a state of crisis. While Longview isn't on the immediate coast, the "inland wind and hail" coverage is mandatory and expensive. If you are financing a home, your escrow account will likely balloon due to rising premiums, easily hitting $2,000+ annually. Furthermore, parts of Gregg and surrounding counties sit in designated flood zones. If you are in a "Zone X" or worse, you are paying $500 to $1,000 a year for flood insurance on top of your standard policy. And if you live in an apartment? Don't assume the landlord covers everything. Property management companies are increasingly pushing "liability waivers" or requiring higher rent for those without specific renters' insurance, nickel and diming you for security you should technically already have.

Lifestyle Inflation: The Cost of Sanity

You can survive on $31,466, but you cannot live on it. Lifestyle inflation hits hard because the entertainment options are limited and priced for the weekend warrior. A "night out" in Longview—dinner for two at a mid-tier spot like a Texas Roadhouse or a local favorite like Tequilas—plus a couple of drinks will easily run $80 to $100 plus tip. If you want to stay active, gym memberships are competitive but not cheap. A standard membership at a facility like the Longview Community Center or Planet Fitness runs $30 to $50 a month, plus initiation fees. The coffee culture is booming, and you will pay for it. A fancy latte at a local shop like Pour Jon's or Rick’s on the Square will set you back $5.50 to $6.50. It seems small, but buying that three times a week adds up to roughly $70 a month—enough to cover a utility bill. Every convenience in Longview has a price, and it adds up faster than the COL index suggests.

Salary Scenarios: The Brutal Math

To survive in Longview, you need to match your income to the reality of the bleed. The following table breaks down the raw numbers required for different lifestyles. Note that these are gross income figures. Your take-home will be roughly 70-75% of these numbers after taxes and basic deductions.

Frugal Analysis ($40,000 Single / $75,000 Family)

At this level, you are surviving, not thriving. For a single person earning $40,000, your monthly take-home is roughly $2,600. You can afford a one-bedroom apartment ($930), utilities ($200), a cheap grocery bill ($350), and a used car payment ($250). You have about $400 left for insurance, gas, and savings. It is tight. One medical emergency or car repair wipes you out. For a family on $75,000, you are strictly budgeting. You are likely in a 2BR rental or a very modest starter home, likely relying on one car and meal prepping heavily. There is zero margin for error.

Moderate Analysis ($58,000 Single / $98,000 Family)

This is the "Longview Standard." $58,000 for a single earner ($3,600 take-home) allows you to rent a nicer 2BR or buy a home under $220k if you have a down payment. You can afford a reliable newer car, decent insurance, and perhaps a $50 gym membership. You can go out to eat once a week without sweating the bill. For a family earning $98,000, you are entering the realm of stability. You can likely afford a mortgage on a $280k home (with a $1,900 monthly payment including taxes), two modest cars, and daycare costs (which are notoriously high in Texas). You can save for retirement, but you aren't maxing out 401ks.

Comfortable Analysis ($82,000 Single / $145,000 Family)

To actually be "comfortable"—meaning you can handle a $2,000 emergency without panic and invest money—you need these numbers. A single earner at $82,000 ($5,100 take-home) can afford a nice home, perhaps in a neighborhood with a pool, drive a new vehicle, and absorb the rising insurance costs without changing their lifestyle. For a family at $145,000, you are the top tier of the local earning bracket. You can afford private school if you choose, a vacation once a year, and max out IRAs. You are insulated from the "gotcha" costs like a $1,000 flood insurance premium or a sudden property tax hike. This is the income level where Longview actually feels like a bargain compared to coastal cities. Below this, you are just managing the bleed.