Livingston, TX, United States🏛️ Capital City
📊 Scores
The economy here runs on government jobs—the state prison (including death row) and detention center are the largest employers, accounting for a significant chunk of stable, benefits-heavy work. Timber and forestry operations dot the surrounding area, though those jobs are declining industry-wide. Lake Livingston, 10 miles east, generates some tourism and water-management employment. Median household income sits around $31,000, and roughly 22% live below the poverty line. This isn't a place to build a remote career; it's where people work government or extraction jobs.
Rent for a one-bedroom in town runs $855/month—genuinely cheap by U.S. standards. You'll need a car; public transit is nonexistent. Healthcare access is limited; serious issues mean driving to Houston (74 miles) or Lufkin (46 miles). The humid subtropical climate brings hot, wet summers and mild winters with heavy rainfall. Bureaucracy is standard American small-town fare. Language barrier: none. The real friction is isolation—you're in rural East Texas, and amenities reflect that.
Summers are oppressively hot and humid; winters are forgettable. Food is standard Texas diner fare and chain restaurants. The expat community is essentially zero; you'll find retirees, prison staff, and locals. Weekends mean fishing at Lake Livingston, hunting in the pine forests, or driving to Houston. This town suits people who work in corrections or forestry, want rock-bottom rent, and don't mind genuine rural isolation—not remote workers or lifestyle expats.
🏚️ Cost of Living
💰 Budgets and Costs
Grocery Basket
Eating Out
Utilities & Lifestyle
Housing
💰 Real Spend Reports
🛡️ Safety & Crime
(Higher is safer)
(Lower is safer)
Livingston is a genuinely safe small Texas town with a Numbeo Safety Index of 74—well above the U.S. average. Day-to-day life feels secure; walking during daylight is unremarkable, and evening walks in residential areas are generally comfortable. The town's small population and tight-knit community culture create natural informal surveillance. Violent crime is rare, and the overall atmosphere is quiet and low-key rather than tense.
Property crime (vehicle break-ins, theft from vehicles) occurs occasionally in small towns like this, but rates remain low. Petty theft and package theft are minimal concerns. There are no particular neighborhoods to avoid—Livingston lacks the geographic crime clustering seen in larger cities. Solo female travelers and residents report feeling safe; standard urban precautions (locking doors, not leaving valuables visible) are sufficient. Scams are uncommon in this demographic.
Livingston is politically stable with reliable local law enforcement and no geopolitical risks. As a rural Texas town, it reflects conservative values but poses no instability concerns for expats. The main consideration is lifestyle fit: this is genuinely safe but very quiet, with limited cultural amenities or international community. It's ideal for retirees seeking peace and security, less suitable for those wanting urban engagement or diverse social scenes. For an American relocating here, safety is a non-issue—quality of life depends entirely on whether you want small-town living.
🏥 Healthcare
🌤️ Climate
Best Months
Climate Notes
Livingston has hot, humid summers (June-August) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, mild winters with occasional freezes, and pleasant spring/fall transitions typical of Southeast Texas.
💻 Digital Nomad
Community Notes
| Name | Price/mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regus - Livingston | $250 | Located on US Highway 59, this Regus offers a professional environment with private offices and coworking options. It's a reliable choice for expats seeking a familiar and well-equipped workspace. |
| The Work Hub | $200 | While not specifically in Livingston, The Work Hub in nearby Huntsville (a short drive) provides a modern coworking environment with various membership options. It's a good option if you're willing to commute slightly for a more vibrant coworking community. |
🧳 Expat Life
Could living/working in Livingston, TX cut years off your work life?
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $342/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.