Cost of Living in Kilgore, TX

Population 13,444 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Kilgore a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $155,000.

Geographically, Kilgore is about 25 miles east of Tyler, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 29% lower than Tyler's $216,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 51

Rent 82

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Kilgore

The median home value in Kilgore is $154,600 — 49% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,082/month, 18% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $58,141/year is 22% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, below the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 77.2°F and lows of 55.2°F. Overall, Kilgore has a cost of living index of 63 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 37% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$154,600

49% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$206,978

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

18% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,095/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

11.9x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

1.7%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$766

1 BR

$811

2 BR

$981

3 BR

$1,307

4 BR

$1,509

Owner-occupied 69.1%

Renter-occupied 30.9%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,082

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,696/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

26.5 min

2% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

4.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

83.1%

Carpooled

9.8%

Public transit

0.3%

Walked

1.8%

Work from home

4.1%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None

Total Sales Tax 8.2%

State rate 6.3%

Avg local rate 1.9%

Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$58,141

22% below avg

Per Capita Income

$26,502

Unemployment Rate

3.9%

19% below avg

Poverty Rate

19.6%

Labor Force Participation

61.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 14.4%

Graduate degree 5.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.2

Male median age 33.4

Female median age 33.2

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High

77.2°F

Avg Low

55.2°F

Annual Precip

45.3"

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	58	62	70	77	84	91	94	95	89	79	68	60
Low °F	37	40	47	54	63	70	74	73	66	55	45	39
Precip"	3.62	3.80	4.45	3.89	4.77	4.22	2.46	2.64	3.19	3.95	3.80	4.52

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 35 — Good

83.3%

Good air days/yr

151

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

364

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Kilgore, TX?

Kilgore has a cost index of 63 (100 = national average). It is 37% below the national average.

What is average rent in Kilgore, TX?

The median gross rent in Kilgore is $1,082 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Kilgore?

The median home value in Kilgore is $154,600 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Kilgore?

The median household income in Kilgore is $58,141 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Kilgore, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Kilgore is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Kilgore, TX affordable?

Yes, Kilgore is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 63 — about 37% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Kilgore?

Kilgore has average high temperatures of 77.2°F and average lows of 55.2°F. Annual precipitation is 45.3". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Kilgore at a Glance

Population: 13,444
Median Income: $58,141
Home Value: $154,600
Median Rent: $1,082/mo
Unemployment: 3.9%
Avg High Temp: 77.2°F
Sales Tax: 8.2%

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