Longview, Texas costs less to live in than the U.S. average, and the biggest savings is rent. A typical 2 bedroom apartment rents for about $1,100 a month, roughly half of what a similar apartment costs in Dallas.
Here is where your money goes in Longview, with numbers you can check.
The short answer
| Cost | Longview, TX | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment, average | $939 | Rentometer, May 2026 |
| 2 bedroom apartment, average | $1,143 | Rentometer, May 2026 |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | Longview Economic Development Corp. |
| State income tax | None | Longview Economic Development Corp. |
| City trash and recycling (houses) | $19.82 / month | City of Longview, from Oct 1, 2026 |
| Average pay, all jobs | $55,480 / year | BLS, May 2025 |
Rent: the biggest line in the budget
Most Longview rent figures land close together:
- 1 bedroom: about $850 to $950 a month on the listing sites (Rentometer, May 2026: $939 average; PadMapper, July 2026: $857 median).
- 2 bedroom: about $1,075 to $1,150 a month (Rentometer: $1,143 average; PadMapper: $1,073 median).
- Newer communities run higher. When the Longview City Council discussed housing in December 2025, the average apartment rent quoted was $1,150 to $1,250 (KLTV).
A common rule of thumb is to keep rent near 30% of your gross pay. At $1,150 a month, that means earning about $46,000 a year. At $1,300, about $52,000.
For more detail, see our 2 bedroom apartments in Longview, TX page.
Utilities
You will usually pay these on top of rent. Ask each apartment which are included.
- Electricity (SWEPCO). This is the bill that moves most. Summer air conditioning pushes it up from June through September, when average highs reach the low to mid 90s (NOAA normals). SWEPCO asked state regulators for a rate increase in October 2025, so check current rates.
- Water and sewer (City of Longview). A $50 activation fee to start service (City rates and fees). Many apartments bill water back to residents or include it.
- Internet. AT&T Fiber, Sparklight, Cablelynx and wireless providers serve different parts of town. Prices depend on your address and speed.
Our Longview utilities guide lists who to call for each one.
Taxes
- No state income tax. Texas does not tax wages. If you are moving from a state that does, that is a raise.
- Sales tax is 8.25% in Longview: 6.25% state, 1.5% city and 0.5% Gregg County (LEDCO).
- Property tax is paid by owners. Renters pay it indirectly through rent.
Pay in Longview
The average yearly pay for all jobs in the Longview metro area was $55,480 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is below the U.S. average, which is part of why costs here are lower too.
Some examples from the same BLS data:
- Registered nurses: $84,880 average
- Heavy truck drivers: $55,940 average
- Electricians: $52,560 average
Healthcare is the biggest employer group in town. CHRISTUS Good Shepherd has a payroll of more than 3,000 people (Dallas Fed). See our Longview jobs guide for more.
Getting around
Longview is a driving town. Plan for a car payment, insurance and gas. The good news: most drives inside the city take 15 minutes or less. Picking an apartment close to work is one of the easiest ways to cut your monthly cost.
Is Longview expensive to live in?
No. Compared with the big Texas metros, rent is the clearest difference. A 2 bedroom in Longview averages about $1,143 (Rentometer, May 2026). Rentometer's Dallas page shows about $2,165 to $2,200 for a 2 bedroom (Rentometer Dallas). Rents change month to month, so treat these as ballpark numbers.
What you give up is pay. Average wages are lower than in Dallas or Houston. If you keep a Dallas-level income, work remotely, or come for a job at one of the hospitals or plants, Longview's lower rent goes a long way.
A sample monthly budget for a 2 bedroom
These are rough planning numbers, not quotes:
| Item | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Rent, newer 2 bedroom | $1,250–$1,400 |
| Electricity (higher in summer) | Varies by unit and season |
| Water, sewer, trash | Ask the property |
| Internet | Depends on the plan |
| Renters insurance | Ask your insurer |
Where Grace Pointe fits
Grace Pointe Apartments at 113 Magnolia Ln has 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartments of 962 and 986 square feet, from $1,295 a month. That is above the city average and in line with newer communities. You get granite counters, stainless appliances, plank floors, walk-in closets, a pool, gated entry and on-site management. It is about a mile from Longview Regional Medical Center. See floor plans or schedule a tour, and call 903-414-6336 for today's pricing.
Get the Longview move-in checklist
Working out the cost of moving to Longview, TX? Leave your name, email and phone below and we'll send you our free Longview move-in checklist. It has every utility number, fee and deadline in one place, including car registration in Gregg County. We'll also send current availability and pricing at Grace Pointe so you can plug a real rent number into your budget.