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Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Cost of living in Galveston County, TX

Part of the Houston Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,328/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 354,721 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,279 38%
Federal tax $661 20%
Healthcare $480 14%
Groceries $334 10%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $199 6%
Water $55 2%
State tax $0 0%

Rent in Galveston County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,226
per month
1 bedroom
$1,279
per month
2 bedroom
$1,529
per month
3 bedroom
$2,038
per month
4 bedroom
$2,568
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Galveston County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$85,348
per year
Individual earnings
$50,466
per year
Per capita
$44,123
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Galveston County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$284,900
Annual property tax
$4,238

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Galveston County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 14.5¢/kWh
Natural gas
$32
per month
Annual total
$2,388
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Galveston County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
13.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Galveston County

State and local tax rates for Texas.

No state income tax
Texas does not levy a personal income tax.
State sales tax
6.3%
Combined sales tax
8.2%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Galveston County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.7 min
Drive alone
78.2%
Public transit
0.5%
Work from home
10.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Galveston County

What it costs to live in Galveston County each month.

Single person
$3,328
per month
  • Rent $1,279
  • Energy $199
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $334
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $661
  • State tax $0
Couple
$4,737
per month
  • Rent $1,529
  • Energy $239
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $553
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $1,067
  • State tax $0
Family
$7,388
per month
  • Rent $2,038
  • Energy $298
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $840
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $1,067
  • State tax $0

Frequently asked questions about Galveston County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Galveston County?

In Galveston County, TX, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,279 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,529 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,038 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Galveston County?

In Galveston County, TX, the average household income is $85,348 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $50,466 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Galveston County?

The estimated cost of living in Galveston County, TX is approximately $3,328 per month for a single person, $4,737 for a couple, $7,388 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Galveston County?

The combined sales tax rate in Galveston County, TX is 8.19%, which includes the Texas state rate of 6.25% plus an average local rate of 1.94%.

Is Galveston County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Galveston County, TX would need approximately $3,328 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $85,348 per year ($7,112 per month). Galveston County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Galveston County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Galveston County, TX is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 13.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Galveston County?

The average home value in Galveston County, TX is $284,900, with average annual property taxes of $4,238, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Galveston County compare to other areas?

You can compare Galveston County, TX with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Galveston County is in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area.

Other counties in Texas

Browse the full list of counties in Texas, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Texas

Compare Galveston County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources