The Longview, TX Salary Guide: What $100K Actually Buys You

You don't move to Longview for the scenery; you move here for the math.

While coastal cities bleed your paycheck dry with progressive taxes, East Texas plays by a different set of rules. If you are pulling in a six-figure salary, the difference between surviving and thriving is found in the deductions. Here is the raw data on what a $100,000 annual salary translates to in real purchasing power in Longview, Texas.

The Verification Test ($100,000 Analysis)

Let’s strip away the corporate jargon and look at the "Sticker Price" versus the "Shelf Price."

When you sign an offer letter for $100,000, you are not taking home $100,000. The federal government and FICA (Social Security/Medicare) step in immediately.

Here is the brutal breakdown of your Gross vs. Net:

• Gross Salary: $100,000
• Federal Tax: -$13,614
• FICA Tax: -$7,650
• State Tax (TX): $0
• Local Tax: $0
• Total Deductions: $21,264
• Take Home Pay: $78,736

The Analysis:
You lose 21.2% of your income to mandatory government deductions. However, the state tax column being at $0 is the heavy lifter here. In a high-tax state, that $100k salary could easily bleed down to $65k–$70k.

In Longview, you retain $78,736 of your earning power. That translates to a monthly net income of $6,561. This is your ammunition for the month.

Smart Budget Breakdown (50/30/20 Rule)

The 50/30/20 rule is the gold standard for financial health: 50% to Needs, 30% to Wants, and 20% to Savings. With a monthly net of $6,561, here is how that hierarchy plays out in the Longview market.

Needs: $3,281/month

Can you afford the rent?

In Longview, $3,281 is a fortress budget. You have two choices here:

1. Rent: You can secure a luxury one-bedroom or a solid two-bedroom apartment in top-tier complexes (like the Green Street district or near the mall) for $1,200–$1,500.
2. Buy: You have the purchasing power to service a mortgage in the $200k–$250k range while keeping total housing costs (PITI) under this $3,281 cap.

After housing and utilities, you still have roughly $1,500+ left for groceries, insurance, and gas. This is a comfortable buffer for a single earner.

Savings: $1,312/month (Wealth Creation)

This is where you get rich.

Allocating 20% ($1,312) strictly to savings and investments is aggressive. If you utilize a Roth IRA ($6,500/year limit) and a 401(k) match, this monthly surplus builds a massive moat against emergencies.

• The Math: $1,312 invested monthly at a conservative 7% return compounds to over $180,000 in 8 years. In Longview, this salary allows you to build serious wealth, not just pay bills.

Wants: $1,968/month

The "Fun" Fund.

With nearly $2,000 left for discretionary spending, you can live like a king locally. This covers dining out at Rick’s on the Square, tickets to the Maude Cobb Convention Center events, weekend trips, and hobbies. You do not have to live like a monk to save money here.

Longview Taxes vs. The Competition

To understand the value of the Longview salary, you have to look at what you avoid.

The "Austin Surcharge" or "NYC Penalty":
If you earned $100,000 in New York City, you would face:

• NYC Local Tax
• NY State Tax (Progressive, up to ~10%)
• Estimated Net Pay: ~$65,000 - $68,000

The Longview Advantage:
By living in Longview, TX, you effectively give yourself a $10,000+ annual raise simply by dodging state and local income taxes compared to New York or California.

Even compared to Austin (which has high property taxes), the lack of a state income tax keeps your cash flow liquid. You are keeping the money you earn, rather than funding a bureaucracy in a capital city hundreds of miles away.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the income tax rate in Longview?
A: 0%. Texas has no state income tax. Longview does not levy a local income tax on residents. Your tax burden consists solely of Federal taxes and FICA (Social Security/Medicare).

Q: Is $100k a good salary in Longview?
A: Yes. It is a high salary relative to the local cost of living. While the median household income in Longview is significantly lower, a $100k individual salary places you in the upper tier of earners, allowing for aggressive savings and high discretionary spending power.

Q: Does Longview have a local city tax?
A: No. There is no local city income tax for residents. You may encounter sales tax (approx. 8.25% combined state/city) on purchases, but your paycheck is not taxed by the city.

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• Methodology & Sources:
  Federal Tax calculations based on IRS 2026 Tax Tables (Single Filer, Standard Deduction applied). FICA calculated at standard 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare rates. State/Local tax data verified via Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Cost of living metrics and salary averages cross-referenced with Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the Longview Metropolitan Statistical Area.