Livingston, TX vs Mercedes, TX
The cost of living difference between Livingston, TX and Mercedes, TX is dramatic. Mercedes is 33.6% cheaper than Livingston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Livingston has a cost index of 79 while Mercedes sits at 59, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.
On the housing front, median rent in Livingston is $1,098/month compared to $676/month in Mercedes — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Mercedes is more affordable at $107,700 median vs $158,100.
Median household income in Livingston is $52,385 compared to $41,753 in Mercedes (+25.5%). The higher salaries in Livingston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Livingston spend roughly 25.2% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Mercedes.
Climate-wise, Mercedes is notably warmer with an average of 75°F compared to 67.7°F in Livingston. Livingston receives more rainfall at 47.7" per year compared to 24" in Mercedes.
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NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)