Rents are 7% below what Galveston's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,366 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Galveston, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, has a large retiree population, has a median income below the national average, 36% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Galveston, TX has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Galveston, TX stood at $1,064 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,366, reflecting a 28.4% increase over the period. Census figures show median household income at $55,631 today, compared with $52,899 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 36% of adults here, versus 30.4% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.
Discussions about Galveston
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Can you afford rent in Galveston on your salary?
At $1,366/mo, how Galveston rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Galveston rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Galveston. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Galveston
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Galveston is $1,366/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,190/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,483/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,240/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,977/mo.
At 29% of local median household income ($55,631/yr), Galveston ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Galveston an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in Galveston?
Which Galveston neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Galveston rent compare to other cities in Texas?
What percentage of Galveston residents rent vs. own?
How does Galveston rent compare to the national average?
At $1,366/mo, rent takes ~29% of Galveston's median household income ($55,631/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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