Livingston was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her older sister Ivy Livingston also became a movie actress.
She made her debut in silent film in 1916. She successfully made the transition to sound film in the late 1920s, and even dubbed voices for some other actresses, including Louise Brooks.
In 1931 she married popular band leader Paul Whiteman. She made her last movies in 1934
Margaret Livingston died in Warrington, Pennsylvania.