Galveston, TX Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-24

Cost Of Living In Galveston, TX Summary

Cost of living in Galveston research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Galveston is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Texas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Galveston is 102, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Galveston is 1.0x higher than the national average.

  • Galveston ranks as the #256 cheapest in Texas out of 414.

  • Galveston ranks as the #2,846 cheapest out of 6,489 in the US.

  • The median home value in Galveston is $326,750.

  • The median income in Galveston is $57,216.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
102
Galveston's Overall Cost Of Living
1.0x
Higher Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Galveston, TX?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Galveston has an overall cost of living index of 102, which is 1.0x higher than the national index of 100.

Compared to Texas, Galveston has a cost of living index that's 1.1x higher than Texas's index of 92.

The standard of living in Galveston ranks as #256 most affordable out of the 414 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Galveston ranks as the #158 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.

For more reading on life in Galveston, check out:

256 out of 414
In Texas
2,846 out of 6,489
In America

Galveston Cost Of Living Vs. Texas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Galveston. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Galveston is 103.

  • The Groceries index in Galveston is 101.

  • The Health index in Galveston is 96.

  • The Housing index in Galveston is 109.

  • The Transportation index in Galveston is 91.

  • The Utilities index in Galveston is 104.

Living Expense Galveston Texas National Average
Overall 102 92 100
Services 103 97 100
Groceries 101 97 100
Health 96 93 100
Housing 109 82 100
Transportation 91 94 100
Utilities 104 104 100
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
Galveston Cost of Living Vs. TX

Galveston, TX Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2019-2023. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Galveston is $326,750.

  • The Median Rent in Galveston is $1,278.

  • The Median Income in Galveston is $57,216.

  • The Home Value To Income in Galveston is 5.7x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Galveston is 0.27x.

Statistic Galveston Texas United States
Median Home Value $326,750 $298,905 $303,400
Median Rent $1,278 $1,339 $1,348
Median Income $57,216 $76,292 $78,538
Home Value To Income 5.7x 3.9x 3.9x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.27x 0.21x 0.21x
$326,750
Median Home Value
$1,278
Median Rent
$57,216
Median Income

Galveston, TX Costs By Category

Detailed Galveston Services Costs Vs. Texas

Item Galveston Texas
Shampoo $1.22 $1.28
Movie $12.19 $12.13
Bowling $15.83 $18
Haircut $20.33 $24.26
Beauty Salon $47.38 $45.56

Detailed Galveston Groceries Costs Vs. Texas

Item Galveston Texas
Ground Beef $5.25 $5.84
Fried Chicken $1.61 $1.57
Milk $4.55 $4.67
Potatoes $5.0 $4.93
Pizza $11.82 $12.09
Beer $10.38 $10.41
Toothpaste $3.48 $3.7

Detailed Galveston Health Costs Vs. Texas

Item Galveston Texas
Optometrist $125.98 $125.68
Doctor $90.89 $135.78
Dentist $108.1 $113.29

Detailed Galveston Transportation Costs Vs. Texas

Item Galveston Texas
Gasoline $3.14 $3.46
Tire Balancing $56.62 $59.92

Detailed Galveston Utilities Costs Vs. Texas

Item Galveston Texas
All Electricity $233.43 $193.99
Phone $208.71 $192.25

Galveston SnackAbility

4
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
5/10
Housing
8
Affordability
5
Diversity
9.5
Safety
4
Amenities
8.5
Education
7
Commute
8.5

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Galveston

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Galveston. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Pearland, TX has a cost of living index of 113, 1.1x Galveston.

  • Sugar Land, TX has a cost of living index of 122, 1.2x Galveston.

  • Friendswood, TX has a cost of living index of 118, 1.2x Galveston.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Galveston
Pearland, TX 125,983 113 1.1x
Sugar Land, TX 109,735 122 1.2x
Friendswood, TX 40,827 118 1.2x
Deer Park, TX 33,823 101 1.0x
Lake Jackson, TX 27,902 102 1.0x
Fresno, TX 24,087 107 1.0x
Dickinson, TX 21,612 98 1.0x
La Marque, TX 18,833 89 0.9x
Bellaire, TX 17,116 185 1.8x
West University Place, TX 14,907 225 2.2x

Articles About Texas

Enjoy The Snack?