Washington · Census, HUD and BEA figures · Updated

Cost of Living in Longview, WA

Prices around Longview, WA run 2.5% below the U.S. average (BEA, the metro area). The typical household there earns $61,747 a year, and HUD puts a two-bedroom at $1,451 a month. Keeping that rent under 30% of income takes about $58,040 a year.

Longview, WA at a glance

Median household income

$61,747$5,146 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-bedroom rent$1,451HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price level (U.S. = 100)97.5-2.5% · BEA, the metro area
Electricity14.9¢per kWh · EIA Residential WA
Population38,069Census ACS 5-year estimate

How much rent can you afford in Longview, WA?

HUD’s fair market rent for each size, against what a typical household here earns. Change the income to see yours.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,451Monthly market rent
Share of gross income28.2%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$58,040To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,544At 30% of $61,747
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

How much is rent in Longview, WA? By bedroom, 2026

HUD's fiscal 2026 Fair Market Rents for Longview-Kelso, WA MSA, with the income each one takes if rent stays under 30% of it.

HUD Fair Market Rent in Longview, WA, fiscal 2026
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,000$12,000$40,00019.4%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,199$14,388$47,96023.3%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,451$17,412$58,04028.2%
3-Bedroom Home$2,018$24,216$80,72039.2%
4-Bedroom Home$2,434$29,208$97,36047.3%

Rent in Longview, WA, with the wage each unit needs →

What a typical income covers in Longview, WA

The 50/30/20 rule applied to the local median of $61,747 a year ($5,146 a month before tax).

Needs (50%)$2,573/moRent ($1,451 2-BR), utilities (~$134/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,544/moEating out, travel, subscriptions and the rest
Savings and debt (20%)$1,029/moEmergency fund, retirement, paying down loans

What $61,747 leaves after Washington taxes

Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Washington tax on the local median income. Change the salary to see yours.

$61,747
$20,000$125,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$61,747
Net 84%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$51,794After all taxes
Monthly deposit$4,316Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,992Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$5,230 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,724 / yr

Living in Longview, WA: common questions

What is the median household income in Longview, WA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Longview, WA is $61,747 per year (approximately $5,146 per month).

What is the average rent in Longview, WA?

The closest official figure is HUD's Fair Market Rent for 2026: $1,000 for a studio, $1,199 for one bedroom, $1,451 for two, $2,018 for three and $2,434 for four, utilities included.

It is not an average of listings. HUD sets it at the rent 40% of recent movers paid or less for a standard unit, so a new lease on a nicer place will usually cost more.

Is Longview, WA expensive to live in?

Prices there run 2.5% below the U.S. average. BEA's regional price parity for the metro area is 97.5, where the U.S. is 100. Rent moves the number most: housing is where places differ, while goods cost about the same everywhere.

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Longview, WA?

To keep a $1,451 two-bedroom under 30% of gross income, a household needs about $58,040 a year, or $4,837 a month. That is 94% of what the typical household in Longview, WA earns.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Longview, WA?

On the local median income of $61,747 ($5,146 a month before tax), the 50/30/20 rule leaves $2,573 a month for needs like rent, utilities and groceries, $1,544 for everything else and $1,029 for savings or debt. A two-bedroom at $1,451 takes 56% of the needs share.

How much is the electric bill in Longview, WA?

Homes in Washington paid 14.9¢ per kWh on average (EIA). At 900 kWh a month, a typical use, that is about $134. Your bill depends mostly on heating and cooling.