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City · 12,901 residents · Galveston County, Texas

Santa Fe , Texas

In Santa Fe, a typical home is worth $325,800 and typical rent is $1,240 a month. Compared with all of Galveston County, typical household income is 15% higher, typical rent is 12% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 14 points higher.

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  • Typical home value

    $325,800

    4% above the county

    15% above Texas

    • Santa Fe
    • Galveston
    • Texas

  • Typical rent

    $1,240a month

    12% below the county

    12% below Texas

    • Santa Fe
    • Galveston
    • Texas

  • Typical household income

    $99,190a year

    15% above the county

    26% above Texas

    • Santa Fe
    • Galveston
    • Texas

  • Households that own their home

    81%

    14 points above the county

    19 points above Texas

    • Santa Fe
    • Galveston
    • Texas

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$334,267
1.2% more than 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Santa Fe 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

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Santa Fe apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Nearby, in Hitchcock, the typical home value is $188,300: 42% less than in Santa Fe ($325,800).

  2. 81% of households in Santa Fe own their home, against 68% in Galveston County.

  3. The typical household income in Santa Fe is $99,190, 15% more than in Galveston County as a whole ($86,105).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Santa Fe

What homes there are in Santa Fe, 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

The detached house rules in Santa Fe: 77% of homes, more than in Galveston County (72%).

In Santa Fe there are many mobile homes: 14% of homes; in Galveston County, 4%.

Year built

In Santa Fe, half of the homes were built before 1990; in Galveston County, before 1990.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes

With an FHA limit of $541,287, at least 82% of owner-occupied homes in Santa Fe sit below it: they are worth less than $500,000.

Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$2,139 a month

Galveston County: $2,245 a month

Without a mortgage

$850 a month

Galveston County: $824 a month

Owners with a mortgage

40%

Galveston County: 57%

The typical cost for an owner with a mortgage in Santa Fe is $2,139 a month, near the figure in Galveston County ($2,245).

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, the typical home value in Santa Fe rose 76%; in Galveston County, it rose 58%.

Much as in Galveston County, the typical rent in Santa Fe rose 33% since 2015–2019.

While home values in Santa Fe changed +76% and rent +33%, the typical household income rose 37%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureSanta FeGalveston CountyTexasUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate8.9%7.7%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate1.5%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate3.1%4.8%3.4%
People per household 2.752.512.692.53
Drive alone 83%77%71%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate7%10%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate1%1%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate2%2%3%
Work from home 8%12%14%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

On average, a household in Santa Fe has 2.75 people, more than in Galveston County (2.51).

In Santa Fe, 83% of workers drive alone to work; in Galveston County, 77%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Santa Fe?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Santa Fe, worth $325,800, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 34% of the typical household income in Santa Fe, which is $99,190 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $121,160 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Galveston County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Santa Fe. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $11,403 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$2,827

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$319,899
Total interest
$460,260
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $5,502 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $2,314 a month

  • Tight

    $2,314 to $2,976 a month

    Your payment · 34%

  • Hard

    more than $2,976 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Santa Fe ($99,190 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$2,827
Principal & interest$2,167
Property tax$380
Home insurance$136
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$144

You need at least $11,403 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

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.

The city and its county

Santa Fe and Galveston County

Santa Fe 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).

Santa Fe's own numbers

Typical home value
$325,800
Typical monthly rent
$1,240
Typical yearly household income
$99,190
Households that own their home
81%
Effective property tax rate
1.4%

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.

Everything about Galveston County

Buying

Buying a home in Santa Fe

A typical home in Santa Fe is worth $325,800: 4% above the county and 15% above Texas. With the typical household income in Santa Fe ($99,190 a year), a typical home costs 3.3 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.

  • Santa Fe 3.3 years
  • Galveston 3.7 years
  • Texas 3.6 years
  • United States 4.1 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.

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

Santa Fe 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
  • Santa Fe $325,800
  • Galveston $314,600
  • Texas $283,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Santa Fe $1,240
  • Galveston $1,404
  • Texas $1,403
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Santa Fe $99,190
  • Galveston $86,105
  • Texas $78,476
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Santa Fe next to Galveston County and Texas
Measure Santa Fe Galveston County Texas U.S.
Typical home value $325,800 $314,600 $283,800 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $1,240 $1,404 $1,403 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $99,190 $86,105 $78,476 $80,734
Households that own their home 81% 68% 63% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $4,576 $4,442 $4,232 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 1.4% 1.41% 1.49% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 40% 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 Santa Fe

For a typical $325,800 home in Santa Fe, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Santa Fe's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $2,827a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $11,403
    Cash to close
    $21,177
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $144

  • Conventional, 5% down $2,767a month

    Down payment
    $16,290
    Cash to close
    $26,064
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $155

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $2,282a month

    Down payment
    $65,160
    Cash to close
    $74,934
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $2,583a month

    Down payment
    $48,870
    Cash to close
    $58,644
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

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.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Santa Fe and for Galveston County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Santa Fe

1.4%of the home’s value each year

$4,576 a year for the typical owner in Santa Fe.

  • Santa Fe 1.4%
  • Galveston 1.41%
  • Texas 1.49%

What Texas publishes School-district homestead exemption (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)

Exemptions and deadlines in Texas

Flood risk in Galveston County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Galveston County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
35%
43,982
Of those, with NFIP insurance
66%
County Texas U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 35% 4.1% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 66% 48% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Santa Fe

Typical rent in Santa Fe is $1,240 a month: 12% below the county. In Santa Fe, 40% 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.

HUD fair market rent for all of Galveston County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

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 Santa Fe

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Santa Fe has 2 ZIP codes with their own.

For 2 bedrooms it runs from $1,040 in 77517 to $1,190 in 77510.

None is above the fair market rent for Galveston County ($1,497).

  • 77510 $1,190$1,600
  • 77517 $1,040$1,380

2 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Santa Fe when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Santa Fe

HUD lists 2 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Santa Fe. These are the largest.

  • Heritage Crossing 12402 11th St, Santa Fe 77510 72 low-income homes · 1 bd: 56 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2011
  • Santa Fe Plaza 12200 11th St, Santa Fe 77510 48 low-income homes · 1 bd: 18 · 2 bd: 24 · 3 bd: 6 · In service since 1993

See all 28 buildings in Galveston County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Santa Fe

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.

A young man and a young woman look something up together on a laptop.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Santa Fe

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Santa Fe or Galveston County. The ones below are statewide in Texas: they work in Santa Fe the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Texas

  • My First Texas Home

    Statewide in Texas

    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).

    DeferredForgivable

    See the program Official page

  • My Choice Texas Home

    Statewide in Texas

    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).

    DeferredForgivable

    See the program Official page

  • Texas Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

    Statewide in Texas

    Limited funds remain, per the source

    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).

    Tax credit

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Santa Fe

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Santa Fe, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Tejano Center for Community Concerns

    1062 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena · 19 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 2 more
    (713) 640-3743

  • Keystone Community Development Corporation

    309 W X St, Deer Park · 21 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Pre-purchase counseling
    • and 1 more
    (281) 476-3592

  • Houston Area Urban League

    5260 Griggs Rd, Houston · 26 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 8 more
    (713) 393-8700

All counseling agencies in Texas

Help in Spanish near Santa Fe

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Santa Fe

In HUD’s record, no housing authority with an office in Galveston County is named for Santa Fe or Galveston County.

2 other authorities have an office in Galveston County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Galveston County

These cities are also in Galveston County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Galveston County Housing in Texas

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Santa Fe, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Galveston County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Santa Fe.

All guides
A family walks a boardwalk trail in the forest; one of them uses a wheelchair.

Questions

Housing questions about Santa Fe

Short answers with the numbers for Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe?

The typical home value in Santa Fe is $325,800, 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 Santa Fe?

Typical rent in Santa Fe is $1,240 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 Santa Fe?

Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe?

The typical homeowner in Santa Fe pays $4,576 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 1.4% of the home’s value; in Galveston County, the rate is 1.41%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Santa Fe?

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.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).