Longview 73 Excellent
Longview Livability #209 ranked city in Texas#5,155 ranked city in the USARanks better than 82% of areas
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Longview, TX - The Heart of East Texas

Living in Longview, TX offers a charming blend of Southern hospitality, historical significance, and modern amenities. Known as the 'Heart of East Texas,' Longview is a vibrant city that embraces its rich history while fostering growth and innovation. The city's downtown area is a hub of activity, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, including the Longview Museum of Fine Arts and the Gregg County Historical Museum.

Longview’s dining scene is diverse, offering a range of options from traditional Southern barbecue to international cuisine. The city’s annual events, such as the Great Texas Balloon Race and AlleyFest, are local favorites, drawing visitors from all over to enjoy hot air balloons, live music, and art exhibitions. The Longview World of Wonders children’s museum and the local farmers market add to the city’s family-friendly appeal.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Longview provides plenty of opportunities for recreation. The city’s parks, including Lear Park and Paul Boorman Trail Park, offer sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic walking trails, making them perfect spots for family outings and community events. The nearby Lake O’ the Pines is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and camping, providing a natural escape just minutes from the city.

Longview is also known for its strong sense of community and educational opportunities. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Longview Wine Festival and the Zonta Antique Show, which bring residents together to celebrate the city’s culture and heritage. The local schools and educational institutions, such as LeTourneau University, make Longview an attractive place for families and students alike.

For those considering a move to Texas, Longview offers a unique blend of Southern charm, community spirit, and modern conveniences. Whether you're drawn by its outdoor activities, cultural events, or welcoming atmosphere, living in Longview, TX provides a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle.

Pros and Cons of Living in Longview

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.

  • Housing Housing

    The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.

  • Ratings Ratings

    Local residents have positive feedback regarding the convenience of amenities, parks, public transit, the friendliness of neighbors, the strong sense of community, and the overall safety of the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    It appears that many amenities may not be conveniently situated within walking distance, potentially necessitating the use of a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    Commuters in this area may experience longer-than-average work commute times due to limited public transportation access.

What's it like Living in Longview?

Longview, Texas is a medium-sized city with a population of 85,215 people. The majority of Longview residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Longview will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 20 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, relocating to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Longview, Texas could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Longview and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from amenities, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Texas and national averages.

With a livability score of 72 out of 100, Longview is ranked #5,620 in the United States and #255 in Texas. If we dig a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Longview has higher than average scores for the following: cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Longview does not do well for the following: amenities (F), crime (D-) and education (D). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Longview, the unemployment rate stands at 2.6%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Longview excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Assuming that Longview meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Longview. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Longview are simply unattainable. The median home price for Longview homes is $251,033, which is 2.2% lower than the Texas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Longview, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.3, which is 3.1% higher than the Texas average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Longview

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      Longview transportation information

      Statistic Longview Texas National
      Average one way commute20min26min26min
      Workers who drive to work84.5%80.3%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.0%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.2%1.6%2.8%
      Working from home3.5%4.3%4.6%
      Source: The Longview, TX data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.