What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Galveston, TX, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Galveston is a city in Galveston County, Texas, with an estimated population of 53,538. It anchors the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro area. The median home value in Galveston is $322,132 as of 2026-04, down 7.4% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +2.4% annual growth, and the market currently sits about 15% below its 5-year peak. Rents in Galveston average $1,304 per month, roughly flat year-over-year (+2.8%). The composite momentum score is 41 of 100 (Cooling). Buyers may find more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.
Prices have come off recent highs (-15.0% from peak). Buyers may have more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.
Reasons people move here
- Reset opportunity: 15% off recent peak but +5.3% annualized over 10 years — long-run trend is up even if the last year wasn't.
- The data is the data: Galveston has at least 5 years of Zillow tracking, full Census identification, and is included in the 2-criteria momentum score on this page.
Things to know first
- Prices actively falling: down 7.4% in the last 12 months — buyer sentiment has flipped. Sellers competing on price.
- 15% off recent peak — buyers are getting through-the-cycle pricing, not the peak.
More about Galveston
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.