Cost of Living  

The Cost of Living Index estimates the relative price levels for consumer goods and services. When applied to wages and salaries, the result is a measure of relative purchasing power.  The cost of living is 5.6% lower in Galveston County, Texas than the U.S. average.   

Source: JobsEQ® 

Data as of 2024Q1 

Cost of Living per COLI, data as of 2023Q3, imputed by Chmura where necessary. 

Housing 

Galveston County offers many diverse choices of safe and idyllic neighborhoods with spacious homes and high-quality schools in 16 areas. I-45 and SH 146 provide access to Houston the beach and the Galveston Bay, with space to spare. Whether you want a modern suburban home, a Galveston Victorian Mansion, beach home, country acreage or modern condo, these diverse housing opportunities are found throughout Galveston County.  New construction lots are available and more planned, as well as homes in more established neighborhoods. 

       Housing Stats-Galveston County 

• County Median Rent: $1,301
• National Median Rent: $ 1,268 
• Median Home Value: $260,000 $281,600 
• 68% own their homes with 32% renting. 
• Average Home Value:  $371,617   
• Median Value Home (Dickinson, TX):  $246,000 
• Median Monthly Rent for a 2 Bedroom Apartment (Dickinson):  $1,240
  
  

  2024 Affordability, Mortgage and Wealth

• Housing Affordability Index:  87 
• Percent of Income for Mortgage:  25.7% 
• Wealth Index 106 
• Households, 2024:  141,201 
• Households, 2029:  149,163 
• Average household size:  2.58 

Master-Planned Communities 

Numerous award-winning master-planned communities add to the quality of life available throughout Galveston County. Master-planned communities offer more than houses; they foster a lifestyle. As large customized, self-contained developments they establish a distinctive living space and sense of community that offers various amenities, including recreation centers, lakes, biking and walking trails, community pools, and event lawns, all near shopping and dining. 

Education  

Independent School Districts (ISD) 

Clear Creek ISD 

Clear Creek Independent School District is a highly rated, public school district located in LEAGUE CITY, TX. It has 40,693 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.  

• 7th best place to teach in Texas 
• 29th best school district in Texas
• 104th most diverse school district in Texas 

According to state test scores, 51% of students are at least proficient in math and 62% in reading.  More info:  Clear Creek ISD | Achieve, Contribute and Lead with Integrity (ccisd.net) 

Dickinson ISD 

The Dickinson Independent School District offers families a diverse, fast-growing community with a small-town atmosphere that is within easy access of big-town amenities with its location halfway between Houston and Galveston. Students and staff experience a district rooted in tradition, but at the same time, excelling in 21st century learning opportunities covering academics, career and technical education, athletics, fine arts, and much more. Public education in Dickinson began in 1891 in a single schoolhouse near Dickinson Bayou and what is now Highway 3. The school district was organized into an independent school district in 1941, when it had an enrollment of 541 students. In 1953, the Dickinson public schools consolidated with the Bacliff-San Leon schools to create the district as it is configured today.  

 Dickinson ISD, which is currently home to 12,550 students and 2,000 employees, is known as "Gator Nation." Big Al is the mascot at all district campuses, which proudly wear the colors of blue and white. The district includes 15 campuses, including seven elementary campuses (grades pre-kindergarten through third grade), three middle schools (grades 4-5), three junior highs (grades 6-8), one high school (grades 9-12), and one non-traditional high school campus. 

 Dickinson ISD's 61 square miles cover much more than the City of Dickinson, which amounts to about 20 percent of the district's total area. In fact, the majority of the district's boundaries, approximately one-third, are in the City of Texas City. The remaining boundaries extend into portions of League City, the communities of Bacliff and San Leon and other unincorporated parts of Galveston County. The district's boundaries on the north take in portions of the Tuscan Lakes communities on both side of Highway 96. To the south, the district goes all the way to the former Gulf Greyhound Park on both sides of I-45 and includes the Tanger Outlet Mall and the new Lago Mar subdivision. Galveston Bay is the district's eastern boundary, while to the west the boundaries extend just past Cemetery Road and include the new Pedregal community.  Dickinson Independent School District (dickinsonisd.org) 

Friendswood ISD 

Friendswood Independent School District is a top rated, public school district located in FRIENDSWOOD, TX. It has 6,213 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. Friendswood Independent School District Rankings.   

• 20th best school district in Texas
• Ranked 53rd for best teachers in Texas 

• 83rd "Best places to teach" in Texas

According to state test scores, 71% of students are at least proficient in math and 76% in reading.  More information:  myfisd.com 

Galveston ISD 

Galveston ISD serves just over 7,000 students from Galveston, Jamaica Beach, and Bolivar Peninsula, and offers a vast amount of instructional opportunities at the respective campuses with magnet programs, and numerous certification programs.  GISD currently has two high schools, five middle schools, and six elementary schools.  Oppe Elementary was among only 38 schools from a 12-state region, to be named a nationally certified Magnet School. Ball High School's Media & Digital Technology community was among 21 schools in the same 12 state region to be named a Nationally Certified Magnet School.  More info:  Home - Galveston Independent School District (gisd.org) 

High Island ISD 

High Island School is an above average, public school located in HIGH ISLAND, TX. It has 151 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 8 to 1. According to state test scores, 47% of students are at least proficient in math and 57% in reading.  More info:  Home - High Island Independent School District (highislandisd.com) 

Hitchcock ISD 

Today, the Hitchcock Independent School District is a public school system nestled in the small community of Hitchcock, Texas, Galveston County, just 15 miles north of Galveston and 40 miles south of downtown Houston.   Hitchcock ISD is comprised of four campuses in addition to Kids First Head Start. The enrollment is approximately 1800 students in grades Pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. This student population currently is 44% African American, 31% Hispanic and 22% White. There is an overall rate of 80% for Economically Disadvantage.  Having a close-knit community and small student population allows Hitchcock ISD to have a complete understanding of individual family dynamics as well as an authentic connection to each student.  More info:  Hitchcock ISD | What Starts Here Can Change the World 

Santa Fe ISD 

Nestled between Houston and Galveston, just a few miles east of I45, you’ll find Santa Fe ISD. The district services 72 square miles in Galveston County. This covers not only the Santa Fe city limits, but also parts of League City, Dickinson, La Marque, Hitchcock, Alta Loma, Arcadia, and Algoa. Santa Fe ISD retains a rural community feel while having big city amenities nearby. Santa Fe ISD is a 5-A district serving approximately 4,400 students in 5 schools; Santa Fe High School (9th-12th Grades), Santa Fe Junior High (6th-8th Grades), Barnett Elementary, Kubacak Elementary, and RJ Wollam Elementary (all Pre-K-5th).  More info:  Welcome to SFISD - Santa Fe Independent School District 

Texas City ISD  

Texas City ISD has 14 schools and nearly 8,000 students in 78.31 square miles of La Marque and Texas City. As the State of Texas continues to raise the standards of education, we are proud that our students and teachers in Texas City ISD are working hard to meet and exceed those standards.  Texas City ISD stands at the forefront of innovation in education with a range of pioneering programs. It boasts the only high school Fire Academy in the Houston-area, providing students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in firefighting and emergency services. Additionally, Texas City ISD is home to the sole Early College High School Program in Galveston County, empowering students to earn college credits beginning their freshman year while still attending high school. The district also leads the way with the only Maritime Program in Galveston County, offering specialized training for careers in the maritime industry. Moreover, the Two-Way Dual Language Program fosters bilingualism and cultural understanding, preparing students for success in our globalized world. Through these distinctive initiatives, Texas City ISD exemplifies a commitment to innovative education, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in an ever-evolving society.  More info:  About - Texas City Independent School District (tcisd.org) 

Higher Education 

Galveston County is home to two top-notch universities and community colleges.  Galveston County provides employers access to over 350,000 students in Houston MSA.  

Texas A&M University at Galveston is the island campus of Texas A&M University dedicated to developing leaders who are changing the world. TAMUG educate nearly 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students annually in marine and maritime programs whose commitment to our Core Values positions them to fuel the blue economy now and in the future.  TAMUG has a rich history that began with creating the Texas A&M Maritime Academy in 1962 and remains the only maritime academy in the Gulf Coast region. We have since grown to become the specialized marine and maritime branch campus of Texas A&M, offering nearly 20-degree programs that prepare our graduates to drive the blue economy around the world.   

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy, one of six state maritime academies in the nation, trains cadets for maritime service and employment worldwide. Cadets earn their professional U.S. Coast Guard license to serve on ocean-going and inland vessels that support the blue economy or our national security by commissioning for service in the U.S. Navy.  About TAMUG - Texas A&M Galveston, TX 

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) John Sealy School of Medicine has trained exceptional physicians in Texas for 130 years. They are a leader in medical education, encompassing thriving research and clinical enterprises across four campuses and seven hospitals. The campus is home to the Galveston National Laboratory, a level 4 federal biocontainment research facility, as well as clinical services and residency programs affiliated with NASA. UTMB is proud to provide medical care to Texas's incarcerated population and houses the Texas Department Criminal Justice Hospital on campus.  UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine 

Galveston College provides the citizens of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs. The College serves approximately 2,300 students each semester in credit programs and nearly 1,415 individuals annually in continuing education programs. Galveston College has proven to be a progressive, dynamic institution of higher education known for its partnerships with businesses and organizations and its commitment to provide a quality learning environment that is student-focused.  The College is fiscally sound and strongly supported by local citizens who have come to recognize Galveston College as an integral part of the growth and prosperity for the community.  With more than 50 degrees and certificates in several career pathways, there’s something for everyone at Galveston College. Credentials earned at Galveston College include associate degrees, university-transfer credits, career-technical certificates and bachelor's degrees.   Galveston College – About Galveston College (gc.edu) 

College of the Mainland was a beckoning vision in the minds of community leaders as far back as the early 1960s. The first concrete step was taken in October 1966 when the College of the Mainland Junior College District was formed. The area of the College District encompasses 237 square miles, and its taxing district includes the five independent school districts of Dickinson, Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe and Texas City. Its service district includes Friendswood ISD and the part of Clear Creek ISD located in Galveston County.  The main campus is located on 128 acres in Texas City, Texas, COM’s main campus comprises 17 buildings and seven condominium units at Appomattox Square, which house support services, instructional, administrative and physical education facilities.  COM League City is home to College of the Mainland’s new 27,570-square-foot educational facility. The new facility, located at 1411 West Main Street in League City, is the former site of the League City United Methodist Church, and will house dual credit and general education classes for students in League City, Friendswood, Dickinson, Kemah and other north Galveston County cities.    The COM City Centre is home to Lifelong Learning  and located at 10000 Emmett F Lowry Expy, Texas City, TX.  In addition to the facilities described above, the College holds classes, primarily for dual credit instruction, at local high schools including:  Texas City ISD, Dickinson ISD, Santa Fe ISD, Friendswood ISD, Clear Springs High School in Clear Creek ISD.  College of the Mainland (com.edu) 

Healthcare 

With over 26,000 people employed in healthcare and social assistance, Galveston County has some of the best healthcare options and providers in the Houston MSA.  The University of Texas Medical Center employs around 15,000 people in multiple facilities around the County and provides comprehensive care.  Additionally, major clinical research is conducted by UTMB and Galveston National Laboratory.  Other major healthcare providers having facilities in Galveston County include:  HCA, Houston Methodist Hospital, and Shriners Hospital.

• UTMB Galveston:  UTMB Health - Galveston Campus 

• UTMB League City:  UTMB Health League City Campus Hospital and Services 

• HCA Texas City:  Hospital & ER in Texas City | Mainland  

• Houston Methodist:   Emergency Care Center | League City Emergency Room | Houston Methodist 

• Galveston National Laboratory:  UTMB Galveston National Lab 

• MD Anderson Cancer Care: MD Anderson Cancer Center League City | League City, TX | MD Anderson Cancer Center

• Memorial Hermann Health System: Convenient Care Center in League City | Memorial Hermann
   

Sports, Recreation, & Arts

Professional Sports Teams  

The Houston MSA boasts major-league sports for a variety of professional, semi-pro, and collegiate teams year-round. The 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros play at Minute Maid Park which is about 30 minutes from the northern border of Galveston County. You can or score a field goal with the Texans at NRG Stadium, which is the world’s first retractable-roof NFL stadium. Courtside seats are available to see the two-time world-champion Houston Rockets at Toyota Center and the Dynamo and the Dash soccer teams, hosts numerous matches throughout the year. Many other professional sporting events take place in Houston including the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo—the world’s largest and Houston Open Golf Tournament. 

• Official Houston Astros Website | MLB.com| Houston Dash (houstondynamofc.com) Houston Dynamo FC | Home | Houston Rockets (nba.com) | The official website of the Houston Texans 

Marine Sports  

With its access to the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Galveston Bay complex, Galveston is a sportsman’s paradise for all types of water sports and recreation including inshore and offshore fishing, kayaking, water skiing, and yachting.       

Parks 

Galveston County and the Cities in the County have an extensive park system that provide water access and public use of sports facilities for baseball, birding, cycling, hiking, picnics and family events, hiking and walking.   

Galveston County parks are host to more than a half-million residents and visitors each year and home to a wealth of wildlife. Within the Galveston County parks system there is approximately 1,500 wonderful acres of recreational parkland nestled in the county’s neighborhoods for residents and visitors to enjoy. There are currently 20 parks and three undeveloped parkland areas, 10 public boat ramps, countless amenities and an impressive assortment of indoor and outdoor rental facilities that are easily accessible and expertly managed and maintained.  

• County Parks: Parks & Cultural Services | Galveston County, TX (galvestoncountytx.gov).    
• City Parks:   Parks & Recreation | The League City Official Website! (leaguecitytx.gov) | Parks & Recreation | Friendswood, TX | Parks and Recreation | Kemah, TX (kemahtx.gov) | Home - Dickinson Parks & Recreation | Parks Board | La Marque, TX - Official Website (la-marque.tx.us) | Parks Board | La Marque, TX - Official Website (la-marque.tx.us) |Parks & Recreation Board | Santa Fe Texas (santa-fe.tx.us)  Parks | Texas City, TX (texascitytx.gov) | Department of Parks and Recreation | Galveston, TX - Official Website (galvestontx.gov)   

Golf 

Galveston County is home to three private golf clubs and three four public courses. With 117 holes to play, Galveston County is your golf destination. Galveston Country Club | Magnolia Creek Golf Club | South Shore Harbor Country Club | Moody Gardens Golf Course | Bayou Golf Course | Beacon Lakes Golf Club | Ranch Wallis Smith Community Golf Course 

Tennis & Pickleball 

The City of Galveston is home to three tennis centers, the McGuire Dent Recreation center which is owned and operated by the City.   McGuire-Dent Recreation Center | Galveston, TX - Official Website (galvestontx.gov).  McGuire Dent Rec Center also has Pickleball couts and Chicken and Pickle has a facility on the Galveston County line in Webster.  Pickleball Courts, Restaurant, Event Space | Chicken N Pickle.  League City has over 30 pickleball courts in various locations including Southshore Fitness which has indoor and outdoor tennis courts as well. www.southshorefitness.com. 

Arts 

Arts and culture are thriving in Galveston County! 

The City of Galveston's Cultural Arts Commission has had a dynamic history, from its inception many years ago to the present. A few of the projects completed during that time include:  The relocation of David Moore's Dolphin Sculpture to Galveston's Seawall; dedication of the commemorative 1900 Storm Sculpture; development of a driving tour of public art; successfully applying and receiving a state-wide designation for the Galveston Downtown Cultural Arts District which encompasses our historic downtown and surrounding areas.  The Galveston Downtown Cultural Arts District is one of the most important projects the commission has undertaken and not only is a feather in Galveston's cap but one that will add an element of promotion to our city that will increase our cultural tourism and serve as another economic stimulus to our community. The district will be included on the Texas Commission on the Arts website as one of the selected communities honored with this designation. Galveston's Cultural Arts Commission future plans include a significant brochure listing the many cultural arts sites within the district to include the surrounding businesses, complete with a map, directions, and descriptions. Future plans of the commission also include commissioning additional public art pieces and further enhancing the economic impact of the arts on the economy of our community.  Community members representing the visual and performing arts as well as arts education are appointed to serve on the City of Galveston's Cultural Arts Commission.  https://www.visitgalveston.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/. 

ARTS Downtown GTX, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the heart of Galveston's Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District, a state-designated area strategically focused on leveraging arts and culture to enrich both our local economy and community life. From 19th to 27th Street and extending from Broadway to the scenic Galveston Bay, this district serves as a vibrant canvas where creativity flourishes.  ARTS Downtown GTX | Galveston's Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District. 

Galveston Arts Center (GAC) is a contemporary visual arts museum that emphasizes community engagement. GAC organizes numerous arts activities for Galveston residents and visitors to enjoy. From gallery shows, to art classes, to city-wide festivities, each event reflects the organization’s mission “to promote and support contemporary visual arts through exhibitions and educational programming.” Galveston Arts Center 

League City is home to dozens of public art displays, including mini-murals, large-scale murals, sculptures, a free gallery, and more. Along with creating public art for residents and visitors to enjoy, we are proud to host a variety of art programs and events throughout the year, including the popular White Linen Night ArtFest every summer. From performing arts to classes for kids and adults, there are opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in League City’s art scene.  Art Scene | The League City Official Website! (leaguecitytx.gov) 

Just a short drive from Galveston County, Houston offers these attractions and cultural amenities, including: 

• Houston Ballet 

• Houston Grand Opera 

• Houston Symphony 

• Theatre Under the Stars 

• Alley Theatre 

• Houston Museum of Natural Science 

• Museum of Fine Arts 

• The Children’s Museum of Houston 

• The Galleria (3-story shopping mall) 

• Downtown Houston Entertainment District