Texas Counties › Galveston County
Retiring in Galveston County, Texas
Major cities: Galveston, League City, Texas City · Population 355,000 · Data last verified 2026-06-10
See if Galveston County fits your retirement — free 2-minute comparison →Thinking about retiring in Galveston or elsewhere in Galveston County? Every figure below comes straight from public government sources — no sponsored rankings, nothing bought. When you're ready, the free comparison tool weighs Galveston County against all 30 major Texas counties by what matters most to you.
Taxes & Housing
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual property tax | $4,395 |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.87% |
| State income tax | 0% (Texas has none) |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.25% |
| Median home value | $235,000 |
Retired and 65+? Texas offers an over-65 homestead exemption and a school-tax freeze that can cut this bill substantially. See our Texas senior property-tax guide.
Cost of Living
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 99 |
| Housing cost index | 100 |
| Grocery cost index | 99 |
| Median household income | $70,000 |
Source: BEA RPP 2022 (Houston MSA)
Healthcare
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals in county | 5 |
| Average CMS hospital star rating | 3.9 / 5 |
| Physicians per 100,000 residents | 275 |
| Trauma center | Yes |
Major hospitals serving the area: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health).
Climate
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual temperature | 71°F |
| Average humidity | 78% |
| Extreme heat days per year (95°F+) | 88 |
| Extreme weather days per year | 60 |
| Annual rainfall | 46″ |
Economy
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% |
| Average salary | $57,000 |
| Major industries | Shipping, Tourism, Healthcare, Petrochemical |
Common Questions About Retiring in Galveston County
Is Galveston County a good place to retire?
It comes down to what you care about most. In Galveston County, homeowners pay around $4,395 a year in property tax, and the cost of living lands at 99 on a scale where 100 is the U.S. average, so about the national average. Healthcare runs on 5 hospitals averaging 3.9 out of 5 on CMS ratings, led by University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health). Summers bring about 88 days above 95°F. Run the free comparison to see how Galveston County stacks up against 29 other counties for your priorities.
What are property taxes for retirees in Galveston County, Texas?
Galveston County homeowners pay roughly $4,395 a year on average, an effective rate near 1.87%. Texas charges no state income tax, and owners 65 and older can cut the bill sharply with the over-65 homestead exemption and the school-tax freeze. See our Texas senior property-tax guide for how those breaks work.
How hot does it get in Galveston County?
Galveston County averages 71°F across the year, but the figure that actually matters for comfort is the roughly 88 days a year that climb above 95°F. It also sees about 46 inches of rain and 78% average humidity.