Cost of Living in Center, TX
Population 5,198 · Texas · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Center a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $152,000. A poverty rate near 32% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Located 50 miles southwest of Shreveport, Center is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 15% lower than Shreveport's $178,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Center
The median home value in Center is $152,000 — 50% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $958/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $50,731/year is 32% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.4%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. Overall, Center has a cost of living index of 59 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 41% less expensive.
Center has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Center, TX?
Center has a cost index of 59 (100 = national average). It is 41% below the national average.
What is average rent in Center, TX?
The median gross rent in Center is $958 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Center?
The median home value in Center is $152,000 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Center?
The median household income in Center is $50,731 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Center, TX?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Center is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.
Is Center, TX affordable?
Yes, Center is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 59 — about 41% below the US national average of 100.
Center at a Glance
- Population
- 5,198
- Median Income
- $50,731
- Home Value
- $152,000
- Median Rent
- $958/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.4%
- Sales Tax
- 8.2%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Texas Rankings
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