Cost of Living in Longview, WA

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.