| Index | Galveston | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 101 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 109 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 96 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 103 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 97 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 98 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Galveston is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Galveston is 101, which is 1% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
Everyday expenditures like food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care in Galveston are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Galveston can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 6 residents in Galveston to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 50% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 50% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Galveston affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Galveston, the median home price is 9.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 8.7% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Galveston boasting a median household income of $75,973, 6.6% lower than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Galveston comes in at 3.1% higher than the national average.
Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Galveston, the housing index comes in at 9.1% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Galveston, the groceries index registers 3.3% lower than the national average.
The cost of living data for Galveston shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $117,472 | $9,789 | $2,741 | $3,525 |
| Renters | $53,591 | $4,466 | $1,250 | $1,608 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| La Marque, TX | 17,391 | 91 | 9.0% |
| Hitchcock, TX | 8,085 | 91 | 8.9% |
| Texas City, TX | 50,965 | 93 | 6.8% |
| Bacliff, TX | 11,876 | 95 | 4.7% |
| San Leon, TX | 5,626 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Galveston, TX | 52,052 | 101 | 1.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON | 52,025 | n/a | |
| Hoffman Estates, IL | 52,201 | 116 | 16.4% |
| Mascouche, QC | 52,212 | n/a | |
| Catalina Foothills, AZ | 52,225 | 135 | 34.8% |
| Joplin, MO | 51,877 | 88 | 12.2% |
| Galveston, TX | 52,052 | 101 | 1.4% |
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