In Galveston, a typical home is worth $326,000 and typical rent is $1,298 a month. Compared with all of Galveston County, typical household income is 35% lower, typical rent is 8% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 21 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $311,947 to $315,114.
Typical rent
$1,435a month
= about the same as 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $1,238 to $1,435.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Galveston is in Galveston County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Galveston County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
46% of households in Galveston own their home, against 68% in Galveston County.
2
Nearby, in Hitchcock, the typical home value is $188,300: 42% less than in Galveston ($326,000).
3
The typical household income in Galveston is $55,631,35% less than in Galveston County as a whole ($86,105).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in Galveston
What homes there are in Galveston, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
United States
Kind of home: Galveston and its comparisons
Measure
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
United States
Detached house
56%
72%
64%
61%
Attached house
2%
2%
3%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
11%
4%
5%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
31%
18%
21%
19%
Mobile home
1%
4%
6%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
0%
The detached house is still the most common home in Galveston, but it weighs less than in Galveston County: 56% against 72%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
United States
Year built: Galveston and its comparisons
Measure
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
United States
Before 1960
32%
12%
12%
26%
1960–1979
29%
24%
21%
24%
1980–1999
20%
25%
28%
25%
2000–2009
9%
19%
18%
14%
2010 or later
11%
20%
21%
11%
Homes in Galveston are older: the typical year built is 1973; in Galveston County, 1990.
There are fewer big homes in Galveston than in Galveston County: 41% have 3 bedrooms or more, against 65%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $100K6%
$100K–$200K15%
$200K–$300K24%
$300K–$500K32%
$500K–$750K11%
FHA limit: $541,287
$750K–$1M8%
$1M or more4%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Galveston and its comparisons
Measure
Galveston
Under $100K
6%
$100K–$200K
15%
$200K–$300K
24%
$300K–$500K
32%
$500K–$750K
11%
$750K–$1M
8%
$1M or more
4%
By price, most homes in Galveston sit under the FHA limit for Galveston County ($541,287): about 79%.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5008%
$500–$99919%
$1,000–$1,49939%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $1,497
$1,500–$1,99924%
$2,000–$2,4997%
$2,500–$2,9992%
$3,000 or more1%
Monthly rent with utilities: Galveston and its comparisons
Measure
Galveston
Under $500
8%
$500–$999
19%
$1,000–$1,499
39%
$1,500–$1,999
24%
$2,000–$2,499
7%
$2,500–$2,999
2%
$3,000 or more
1%
HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent (FMR) for Galveston County is $1,497: about 66% of rents in Galveston are below it.
With a mortgage
$2,191 a month
Galveston County: $2,245 a month
Without a mortgage
$816 a month
Galveston County: $824 a month
Owners with a mortgage
44%
Galveston County: 57%
In Galveston, 44% of owners have a mortgage; their typical cost is $2,191 a month, about the same as in Galveston County.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
Galveston+78%
Galveston County+58%
Texas+65%
United States+53%
Typical rent
Galveston+31%
Galveston County+30%
Texas+34%
United States+33%
Typical household income
Galveston+13%
Galveston County+17%
Texas+27%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: Galveston and its comparisons
Measure
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
United States
Typical home value
+78%
+58%
+65%
+53%
Typical rent
+31%
+30%
+34%
+33%
Typical household income
+13%
+17%
+27%
+29%
The typical home value in Galveston rose 78% since 2015–2019, more than in Galveston County (58%).
Much as in Galveston County, the typical rent in Galveston rose 31% since 2015–2019.
Here income did not keep up with housing: it rose 13%, while home values changed +78% and rent +31%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Galveston and its comparisons
Measure
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
United States
Rental vacancy
14.1%
8.9%
7.7%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
3.4%
1.5%
1.1%
0.9%
More than one person per room
2.5%
3.1%
4.8%
3.4%
People per household
1.98
2.51
2.69
2.53
Drive alone
69%
77%
71%
69%
Carpool
8%
7%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
1%
1%
3%
Walk or bike
8%
2%
2%
3%
Work from home
12%
12%
14%
15%
Other means
3%
1%
2%
2%
Typical commute
10 to 19 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
There is more rental housing open in Galveston: 14.1% is empty and offered for rent, against 8.9% in Galveston County.
More than one person per room: that is how 2.5% of households in Galveston live, near the figure in Galveston County (3.1%).
Fewer people live in each home here: 1.98 on average, against 2.51 in Galveston County.
In Galveston, 8% of workers walk or bike to work; in Galveston County, 2%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Galveston?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Galveston, worth $326,000, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 59% of the typical household income in Galveston, which is $55,631 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $117,508 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Galveston County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Galveston. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $11,410 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$2,742
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$320,095
Total interest
$460,542
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $5,505 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $1,298 a month
Tight
$1,298 to $1,669 a month
Hard
more than $1,669 a month
Your payment · 59%
Compared with the typical household income in Galveston ($55,631 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$2,168
Property tax
$293
Home insurance
$136
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$144
You need at least $11,410 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $2,742; principal and interest $2,168.
The city and its county
Galveston and Galveston County
Galveston is in Galveston County, Texas. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Galveston
Map of Galveston County, Texas, with Galveston marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Galveston
Galveston County
Other cities with a page
Galveston's own numbers
Typical home value
$326,000
Typical monthly rent
$1,298
Typical yearly household income
$55,631
Households that own their home
46%
Effective property tax rate
1.08%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of Galveston County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,497
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+43%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
35%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Galveston County.
A typical home in Galveston is worth $326,000: 4% above the county and 15% above Texas. With the typical household income in Galveston ($55,631 a year), a typical home costs 5.9 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Galveston5.9 years
County3.7 years
Texas3.6 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in Galveston County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Galveston County rose 93% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Galveston County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in Galveston County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +7.7% +7.7% 2016
2017: +6.7% +6.7% 2017
2018: +7.5% +7.5% 2018
2019: +3.9% +3.9% 2019
2020: +5.0% +5.0% 2020
2021: +12.6% +12.6% 2021
2022: +17.8% +17.8% 2022
2023: +4.1% +4.1% 2023
2024: +1.8% +1.8% 2024
2025: +1.7% +1.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in Galveston County, Texas and the United States
Period
County
Texas
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+1.7%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+43%
+44%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+93%
+88%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Galveston next to Galveston County, Texas and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Galveston$326,000
County$314,600
Texas$283,800
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Galveston$1,298
County$1,404
Texas$1,403
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Galveston$55,631
County$86,105
Texas$78,476
United States$80,734
See the full table
Galveston next to Galveston County and Texas
Measure
Galveston
Galveston County
Texas
U.S.
Typical home value
$326,000 ▲4% above the county
$314,600
$283,800
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$1,298 ▼8% below the county
$1,404
$1,403
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$55,631 ▼35% below the county
$86,105
$78,476
$80,734
Households that own their home
46% ▼21 points below the county
68%
63%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$3,510 ▼21% below the county
$4,442
$4,232
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
1.08% ▼0.33 points below the county
1.41%
1.49%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
58% ▲3 points above the county
55%
52%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Galveston County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Galveston
For a typical $326,000 home in Galveston, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Galveston's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$2,742a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$11,410
Cash to close
$21,190
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $144
Conventional, 5% down$2,682a month
Down payment
$16,300
Cash to close
$26,080
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $155
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$2,196a month
Down payment
$65,200
Cash to close
$74,980
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$2,497a month
Down payment
$48,900
Cash to close
$58,680
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Galveston
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$2,742
$11,410
$320,095
7.18%
FHA MIP · $144
$21,190
580
Conventional, 5% down
$2,682
$16,300
$309,700
7.18%
PMI · $155
$26,080
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$2,196
$65,200
$260,800
7.18%
None
$74,980
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$2,497
$48,900
$277,100
8.18%
None
$58,680
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Galveston is $1,298 a month: 8% below the county. In Galveston, 58% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Galveston County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,497 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $28.79 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in Galveston County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$1,233
$23.71
$49,320
1 bedroom
$1,261
$24.25
$50,440
2 bedrooms
$1,497
$28.79
$59,880
3 bedrooms
$2,017
$38.79
$80,680
4 bedrooms
$2,502
$48.12
$100,080
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Galveston
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Galveston has 4 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,330 in 77550 to $1,530 in 77554.
2 of the 4 are above the fair market rent for Galveston County ($1,497).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 4 ZIP codes of Galveston, beside the one for Galveston County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,330 in 77550 to $1,530 in 77554. 2 of the 4 are above the fair market rent for Galveston County ($1,497).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $1,497
Lowest: $1,330 (77550)Highest: $1,530 (77554)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Galveston, fiscal year 2027.
HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Galveston. These are the largest.
Gulf Breeze1211 21st St, Galveston 77550377 homes, 376 low-income · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Galveston · Average payment: $347 a month · Average wait: 37 months(409) 765-1904
Champion Homes at Marina Landing7302 Heards Ln, Galveston 77551256 low-income homes · In service since 2012
Sandpiper Cove3916 Winnie St, Galveston 77550192 low-income homes · 1 bd: 10 · 2 bd: 92 · 3 bd: 64 · 4 bd: 26 · In service since 1992 · For older adults, people with disabilities, families, people experiencing homelessness(409) 750-9944
The Oaks IV4127 Avenue H, Galveston 7755040 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Galveston · Average payment: $364 a month · Average wait: 30 months(409) 765-1904
Scattered Sites2801 Avenue R, Galveston 7755034 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Galveston · Average payment: $501 a month · Average wait: 80 months(409) 765-1904
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Galveston County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Galveston or Galveston County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Galveston the same as in the rest of the state.
Texas state program for first-time buyers: a 30-year mortgage with down payment assistance.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state program with down payment assistance for any buyer, not only first-time buyers.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
Texas state certificate that turns part of your mortgage interest into a credit on your federal tax return.Offered by Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
No legal help resource on our list is for Galveston or Galveston County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Galveston and all of Galveston County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Galveston?
The typical home value in Galveston is $326,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Galveston County it is $314,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Galveston?
Typical rent in Galveston is $1,298 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Galveston County is $1,497.
What is the FHA loan limit in Galveston?
Galveston uses the FHA limit for all of Galveston County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Galveston?
The typical homeowner in Galveston pays $3,510 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.08% of the home’s value; in Galveston County, the rate is 1.41%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Galveston?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Galveston County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
