The story of this market
The typical home in Galveston, Texas sells for about $326,000, or $245 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.4% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 78 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,450 a month.
Monthly price momentum
Home values since 2015
+1.1%
TX · past 12 months
Freddie Mac House Price Index, single-family homes, monthly through 2026-08. Each line starts at 100 in January 2015, so a reading of 180 means prices are up 80% since then.
Galveston, Texas
The Galveston housing market is currently a buyer's market, characterized by a significant increase in inventory and a cooling in price growth compared to previous years. High insurance costs and seasonal rental volatility continue to influence buyer behavior, leading to a cautious outlook. While the medical and maritime sectors provide a stable economic base, the market remains sensitive to broader economic shifts and the high cost of coastal property maintenance.
No ARED county foreclosure postings attributed to Galveston yet — the verified ledger covers every county the foreclosure ingest has read, attributed by published city area. Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Deterministic aggregate of 6 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Median prices moved down 2.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 93 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 0.25% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.8% · poverty 21.4% — a mixed stability profile.
- Kemah Boardwalk4.521.7 mi
- Moody Gardens Attractions Theme Park4.53.9 mi
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier4.41 mi
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston4.14 mi
- Aquarium At Moody Gardens4.64 mi
- Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort4.62.7 mi
- Stingaree Restaurant & Marina4.516.9 mi
- Golden Corral Buffet & Grill4.23.1 mi
- Gilhooley's Restaurant and Oyster Bar4.515.3 mi
- Bay Area Raceway4.519.6 mi
- Moody Gardens Attractions Theme Park4.53.9 mi
- Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier4.41 mi
- Galveston Island State Park4.612.3 mi
- Galveston Seawall4.71 mi
- Galveston Railroad Museum4.50.4 mi
- Galveston Seawall4.71 mi
- Galveston Railroad Museum4.50.4 mi
- Bishop’s Palace4.60.8 mi
- Galveston Naval Museum4.72.5 mi
- Moody Mansion.4.70.1 mi
- Moody Gardens Attractions Theme Park4.53.9 mi
- Galveston Island State Park4.612.3 mi
- Texas City Dike4.68.2 mi
- Seawolf Park4.42.5 mi
- Galveston Naval Museum4.72.5 mi
- Stingaree Restaurant & Marina4.516.9 mi
- The West End Marina and Restaurants4.218.6 mi
- Waterman's Restaurant4.311.3 mi
- Pier 214.50.6 mi
- Galveston Yacht Marina4.41.7 mi
- Moody Gardens Golf Course - Driving Range & Restaurant4.35.1 mi
- Bayou City Golf course3.813.4 mi
- Shrimp N Stuff4.41.2 mi
- Katie's Seafood Market4.60.7 mi
- Ross Dress for Less4.33 mi
- Randalls4.33 mi
- Boyd's One Stop48.5 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this city — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A massive educational destination featuring pyramids, an aquarium, and a rainforest, serving as a major year-round anchor for tourism and local recreation.
The heart of downtown Galveston, featuring Victorian-era architecture, boutique shopping, and dining, which drives significant foot traffic and property value in the city center.
An iconic amusement park extending over the Gulf, providing a major tourist draw and defining the city's skyline and entertainment profile.
Galveston is well-suited for investors seeking short-term rental income, retirees attracted to coastal living, and employees of the medical and maritime sectors. It is less ideal for traditional commuters due to the distance from the Houston mainland, though it offers a unique lifestyle for those prioritizing proximity to the Gulf.
The Galveston Independent School District serves the city with a mix of magnet and traditional campuses, focusing on STEM and maritime-related curricula. While some schools maintain strong performance ratings, overall district-wide academic outcomes remain varied, often reflecting the socioeconomic diversity of the island's population.
The city is connected to the mainland via the I-45 corridor, which serves as the primary artery for commuters and freight. Public transit is limited to local bus services, making personal vehicle ownership essential for most residents.
Galveston offers an extensive amenity base centered on its 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches, the historic Strand District, and major attractions like Moody Gardens and the Pleasure Pier. Residents have access to diverse outdoor activities including fishing, boating, and birding, alongside a robust calendar of cultural festivals and events.
The rental market is highly bifurcated between long-term residential leases and a dominant short-term vacation rental sector. High vacancy pressure exists in the off-season, while investor demand remains strong for properties capable of generating high seasonal yields in tourist-heavy zones.
The economy is heavily anchored by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the Port of Galveston, which together provide thousands of jobs. Tourism remains a critical secondary sector, with significant seasonal fluctuations impacting local retail and service industries.
Economic momentum is anchored by the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and the Port of Galveston, which drive significant employment and infrastructure investment. Recent development is focused on port expansion, medical campus upgrades, and the revitalization of historic districts to support both tourism and a growing permanent resident base.
Development is currently focused on coastal resiliency projects and the modernization of port infrastructure. City planning emphasizes the preservation of historic districts while encouraging mixed-use redevelopment in the downtown core.
Parcels are subject to various special districts, including the Galveston County Navigation District and local MUDs in newer developments, which manage utility and flood control infrastructure.
Galveston experiences higher property and violent crime rates compared to the national average, largely influenced by its status as a major tourist destination. Local law enforcement maintains a high visibility presence, particularly in the historic downtown and beach corridors, to manage seasonal fluctuations in activity.
The city faces significant exposure to hurricane, storm surge, and flood risks, necessitating strict adherence to FEMA building codes and elevated construction standards. Property insurance premiums are among the highest in the state, and the market is heavily influenced by the availability and cost of windstorm coverage.
The property insurance market is characterized by high premiums and limited carrier availability due to hurricane risk. Most residential properties require specialized windstorm coverage, which is a primary factor in total cost of ownership.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Texas) — Senior (65+) and Disabled Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling: Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the… State (Texas) — General Residence Homestead Exemption and 10% Valuation Growth Cap: Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100… State (Texas) — Ad Valorem Real Property Taxation and Assessment Ratio: Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00).
Researched annual trajectory for this city, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this city's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau QuickFacts and ACS 5-year estimates.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.