City · 38,069 residents · Cowlitz County, Washington
Longview, Washington
In Longview, a typical home is worth $361,600 and typical rent is $1,137 a month. Compared with all of Cowlitz County, typical household income is 19% lower, the typical home value is 9% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 13 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $358,843 to $386,819.
Typical rent
$1,297a month
▲ 2.5% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, June 2023 to September 2026: from $1,244 to $1,297.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Longview is in Cowlitz County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Cowlitz County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
55% of households in Longview own their home, against 68% in Cowlitz County.
2
The typical household income in Longview is $61,747,19% less than in Cowlitz County as a whole ($76,531).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Longview
What homes there are in Longview, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
United States
Kind of home: Longview and its comparisons
Measure
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
United States
Detached house
60%
69%
62%
61%
Attached house
3%
2%
4%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
7%
6%
6%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
25%
14%
22%
19%
Mobile home
4%
9%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Longview, 6 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in Cowlitz County, 7.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
United States
Year built: Longview and its comparisons
Measure
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
United States
Before 1960
42%
30%
21%
26%
1960–1979
32%
26%
23%
24%
1980–1999
18%
22%
27%
25%
2000–2009
6%
12%
15%
14%
2010 or later
2%
9%
14%
11%
Homes in Longview are older: the typical year built is 1967; in Cowlitz County, 1976.
There are fewer big homes in Longview than in Cowlitz County: 51% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 64%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $100K6%
$100K–$200K5%
$200K–$300K18%
$300K–$500K59%
$500K–$750K10%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or moreUnreliable
Value of owner-occupied homes: Longview and its comparisons
Measure
Longview
Under $100K
6%
$100K–$200K
5%
$200K–$300K
18%
$300K–$500K
59%
$500K–$750K
10%
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
Unreliable estimate
By price, most homes in Longview sit under the FHA limit for Cowlitz County ($541,287): about 89%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limitUnreliable estimate
Under $5007%
$500–$99930%
$1,000–$1,49938%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,398
$1,500–$1,99916%
$2,000–$2,4995%
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or moreUnreliable
Monthly rent with utilities: Longview and its comparisons
Measure
Longview
Under $500
7%
$500–$999
30%
$1,000–$1,499
38%
$1,500–$1,999
16%
$2,000–$2,499
5%
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable estimate
$3,000 or more
Unreliable estimate
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Cowlitz County is $1,398; about 67% of rents in Longview are below it.
With a mortgage
$1,784 a month
Cowlitz County: $1,949 a month
Without a mortgage
$631 a month
Cowlitz County: $630 a month
Owners with a mortgage
65%
Cowlitz County: 65%
Owning costs less in Longview: with a mortgage, the typical cost is $1,784 a month; in Cowlitz County, $1,949. Without one, $631.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Longview+90%
Cowlitz County+81%
Washington+67%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Longview+32%
Cowlitz County+41%
Washington+40%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Longview+37%
Cowlitz County+40%
Washington+33%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Longview and its comparisons
Measure
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
United States
Typical home value
+90%
+81%
+67%
+53%
Typical rent
+32%
+41%
+40%
+33%
Typical household income
+37%
+40%
+33%
+29%
The typical home value in Longview rose 90% since 2015–2019, more than in Cowlitz County (81%).
Rents in Longview rose more slowly than in Cowlitz County: 32% since 2015–2019, against 41%.
To compare: typical income in Longview rose 37%; the home, +90%; the rent, +32%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Longview and its comparisons
Measure
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
3.4%
4.5%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.9%
More than one person per room
3.5%
3.2%
3.5%
3.4%
People per household
2.36
2.53
2.50
2.53
Drive alone
80%
82%
63%
69%
Carpool
10%
8%
9%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
3%
Work from home
7%
8%
20%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More than one person per room: that is how 3.5% of households in Longview live, near the figure in Cowlitz County (3.2%).
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.36 on average, against 2.53 in Cowlitz County.
The car rules in Longview: 80% of workers drive to work alone, and the typical trip takes 10 to 19 minutes.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Longview?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Longview, worth $361,600, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 57% of the typical household income in Longview, which is $61,747 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $126,208 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Cowlitz County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Longview. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $12,656 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,945
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$355,051
Total interest
$510,834
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $6,107 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,441 a month
Tight
$1,441 to $1,852 a month
Hard
more than $1,852 a month
Your payment · 57%
Compared with the typical household income in Longview ($61,747 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,405
Property tax
$229
Home insurance
$151
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$160
You need at least $12,656 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,945; principal and interest $2,405.
The city and its county
Longview and Cowlitz County
Longview is in Cowlitz County, Washington. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Longview
Map of Cowlitz County, Washington, with Longview marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Longview
Cowlitz County
Other cities with a page
Longview's own numbers
Typical home value
$361,600
Typical monthly rent
$1,137
Typical yearly household income
$61,747
Households that own their home
55%
Effective property tax rate
0.76%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Cowlitz County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,398
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+43%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
4%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Cowlitz County.
A typical home in Longview is worth $361,600: 9% below the county and 36% below Washington. With the typical household income in Longview ($61,747 a year), a typical home costs 5.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Longview5.9 years
Cowlitz5.2 years
Washington5.8 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Cowlitz County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Cowlitz County rose 121% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Cowlitz County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Cowlitz County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +9.8% +9.8% 2016
2017: +9.3% +9.3% 2017
2018: +10.9% +10.9% 2018
2019: +9.4% +9.4% 2019
2020: +5.8% +5.8% 2020
2021: +16.8% +16.8% 2021
2022: +14.9% +14.9% 2022
2023: +0.1% +0.1% 2023
2024: +2.9% +2.9% 2024
2025: +3.7% +3.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Cowlitz County, Washington and the United States
Period
County
Washington
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+3.7%
+1.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+43%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+121%
+113%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Longview next to Cowlitz County, Washington and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Longview$361,600
Cowlitz$397,500
Washington$564,600
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Longview$1,137
Cowlitz$1,206
Washington$1,760
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Longview$61,747
Cowlitz$76,531
Washington$98,141
United States$80,734
See the full table
Longview next to Cowlitz County and Washington
Measure
Longview
Cowlitz County
Washington
U.S.
Typical home value
$361,600 ▼9% below the county
$397,500
$564,600
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,137 ▼6% below the county
$1,206
$1,760
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$61,747 ▼19% below the county
$76,531
$98,141
$80,734
Households that own their home
55% ▼13 points below the county
68%
64%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$2,749 ▼15% below the county
$3,245
$4,556
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.76% ▼0.06 points below the county
0.82%
0.81%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
54% ▲5 points above the county
49%
50%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Cowlitz County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Longview
For a typical $361,600 home in Longview, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Longview's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,945a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$12,656
Cash to close
$23,504
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $160
Conventional, 5% down$2,879a month
Down payment
$18,080
Cash to close
$28,928
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $172
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,339a month
Down payment
$72,320
Cash to close
$83,168
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,674a month
Down payment
$54,240
Cash to close
$65,088
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Longview
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,945
$12,656
$355,051
7.18%
FHA MIP · $160
$23,504
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,879
$18,080
$343,520
7.18%
PMI · $172
$28,928
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,339
$72,320
$289,280
7.18%
None
$83,168
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,674
$54,240
$307,360
8.18%
None
$65,088
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Longview is $1,137 a month: 6% below the county. In Longview, 54% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Cowlitz County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,398 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $26.88 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Cowlitz County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$974
$18.73
$38,960
1 bedroom
$1,124
$21.62
$44,960
2 bedrooms
$1,398
$26.88
$55,920
3 bedrooms
$1,936
$37.23
$77,440
4 bedrooms
$2,337
$44.94
$93,480
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Longview
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Longview is in ZIP code 98632.
For 2 bedrooms it is $1,450: $52 more than the fair market rent for Cowlitz County ($1,398).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Longview, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
98632
$1,010
$1,170
$1,450
$2,010
$2,420
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
98632 $1,450$2,010
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Longview when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 6 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Longview. These are the largest.
Parkland Terrace Apartments3133 Maryland St, Longview 98632153 low-income homes · 1 bd: 52 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities(360) 425-0590
Westgate Terrace Apartments2024 Tibbetts Dr, Longview 98632101 homes, 100 low-income · 1 bd: 100 · 2 bd: 1 · In service since 2006 · For older adults, people with disabilities
New Westside Terrace1200 17th Ave, Longview 9863260 homes, 58 low-income · Studio: 31 · 1 bd: 23 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1993 · For older adults
Hemlock Court1700 Hemlock St, Longview 9863247 homes, 46 low-income · 1 bd: 47 · In service since 1994 · For older adults
Fremont Village1416 3rd Ave, Longview 9863231 low-income homes · For older adults(360) 577-5913
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Cowlitz County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Longview or Cowlitz County. The ones below are statewide in Washington: they work in Longview the same as in the rest of the state.
Washington state commission 0% second mortgage for 3%, 4% or 5% of the first mortgage, with no monthly payments; you do not need to be a first-time buyer.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan with no monthly payments of up to 20% of the price (maximum $150,000) plus closing costs, for first-time buyers whose family lived in Washington before 1968 and belonged to a group affected by housing discrimination, including Hispanic people.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
Washington state commission loan of up to $15,000 at 1% simple interest, with no monthly payments, for the down payment and closing costs of first-time buyers with the House Key Opportunity mortgage.Offered by Washington State Housing Finance Commission.
No legal help resource on our list is for Longview or Cowlitz County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Longview and all of Cowlitz County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Longview?
The typical home value in Longview is $361,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Cowlitz County it is $397,500.
How much does it cost to rent in Longview?
Typical rent in Longview is $1,137 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Cowlitz County is $1,398.
What is the FHA loan limit in Longview?
Longview uses the FHA limit for all of Cowlitz County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Longview?
The typical homeowner in Longview pays $2,749 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.76% of the home’s value; in Cowlitz County, the rate is 0.82%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Longview?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Cowlitz County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
