B
9%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
8%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Longview Washington National
Cost of living109118100
Goods & Services106111100
Groceries111110100
Health care110120100
Housing108135100
Transportation126123100
Utilities9692100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Longview, WA

Knowing the cost of living in Longview allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Longview stands at 109, marking it 9% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Longview closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Longview can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Longview is no exception, where grocery prices are 10.5% above the national average.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Longview?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 18 residents in Longview to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 33% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 67% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Longview Affordable?

Is Longview affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Longview, the median home price is 14.9% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 7% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Longview boasting a median household income of $48,028, 13.2% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Longview?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Longview, the housing index comes in at 8.4% higher than the national average.

Taxes: Regions that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an increased cost of living. Higher taxes for everyday necessities such as clothing, utilities and food inevitably leads to higher expenditures. Additionally, a higher income tax rate can also play a role in elevating the overall cost of living. In Longview, the prevailing sales tax rate starts at 6.5%, and income tax rates kick off at 0%.

Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Longview, the groceries index is 10.5% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Longview cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Longview is 8% lower than the Washington average
  • The cost of living in Longview is 9% higher than the national average
  • Longview housing is 8% higher than the national average
  • Washington general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Washington state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Longview

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Compare Longview, WA Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$65,325$5,444$1,524$1,960
      Renters$33,053$2,754$771$992
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Longview, WA, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Longview have a median income of $65,325. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,524 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $33,053, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $771.

      Washington Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Washington 6.5% 10.4%

      Washington Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Washington 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Longview National avg. Difference
      Haircut $41.22$24.2669.9%
      Beauty Salon $60.58$45.5633.0%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.702.0%
      Shampoo $1.53$1.2819.5%
      Movie $12.98$12.136.9%
      Bowling $18.31$18.001.7%

      Groceries

      Item Longview National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.17$5.845.7%
      Fried Chicken $2.03$1.5728.8%
      Milk $5.04$4.677.9%
      Potatoes $4.39$4.9311.1%
      Pizza $12.21$12.091.0%
      Beer $12.07$10.4115.9%

      Health Care

      Item Longview National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $131.94$125.685.0%
      Doctor $188.49$135.7838.8%
      Dentist $115.08$113.291.6%
      Ibuprofen $11.58$10.658.7%
      Lipitor $386.53$468.6017.5%

      Housing

      Item Longview National avg. Difference
      Home Price $212,300.00$184,700.0014.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,332.86$2,346.6942.0%
      Apartment Rent $883.00$949.007.0%

      Transportation

      Item Longview National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $4.16$3.4620.3%
      Tire Balancing $84.45$59.9240.9%

      Utilities

      Item Longview National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $182.73$193.995.8%
      Phone $190.36$192.251.0%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Deer Island, OR1051000.4%
      Clatskanie, OR2,1891032.6%
      Castle Rock, WA2,9171044.2%
      West Side Highway, WA5,7351054.7%
      Kelso, WA12,2371065.6%
      Longview, WA37,9141098.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Prince Albert, SK37,925n/a 
      Kailua, HI37,900227127.2%
      Grants Pass, OR37,93811110.9%
      Parkland, WA37,94612120.6%
      Dover, DE37,8721022.0%
      Longview, WA37,9141098.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.