Real Estate Investing in Galveston, Texas (77554)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Galveston County • Population: 9,973 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 77554 (Galveston, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (25/100)

Multiple negative signals. Better options likely exist nearby.

📈 For Investors
WEAK
2.0 / 5 (33/100)

Structural challenges here. The numbers may look cheap but operational risk is high. Only for experienced, hands-on investors.

⚠️ Risks to Know
4 flags
  • High vacancy: 55.5% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Flat appreciation: Values have barely moved over 5 years (1.0% CAGR).
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.7% in the last year.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 29.5 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in Galveston, TX (77554)?

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2.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

1.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $525,796
Avg Monthly Rent $1,484
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $86,912
% Renters 32.4%

Market Analysis: 77554 Galveston

This part of Galveston County is not an easy win. The 77554 ZIP clocks in at softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

The investment case in 77554 is significant only for operators who understand what they are buying. A $526K median suggests accessibility, but management intensity, vacancy drift, and capex surprises are real.

Nearby ZIPs in Galveston have seen price recovery that 77554 has not matched. Galveston County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

Resident income in 77554 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.

The right play in 77554 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Galveston:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 54/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
10/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,484/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
COOL
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
❄️
COOL MARKET
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Metro Area
More inventory, negotiating room for buyers
79 days
Average time to sell
Slow
9.2%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 77554

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
5.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
2BR
$168,675/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $170,125 $1,390 5.9% +5.0% $170,125
2BR $337,350 $1,650 3.5% +6.6% $168,675
3BR $543,613 $2,220 2.9% +6.4% $181,204
4BR $828,064 $2,770 2.4% +6.8% $207,016
5BR $1,237,336 +7.3% $247,467

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$658K$569K$481K$392K$303K$214KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$2,336$2,137$1,937$1,737$1,537$1,337Jan 2025Oct 2025Jul 2026

📊 How Does 77554 Compare?

Metric 77554 Galveston Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Texas
Home Value $525,796 $264,863 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 1.0% 1.6% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,484 $1,376 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.2% 3.3% - -
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 77554 (Galveston, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
2.2%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.0%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $525,796
Monthly Rent $1,484
Price-to-Rent 29.5:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.4%
Cap Rate 2.2%
5-Year IRR 3.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR -4.0% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.0% ▲
10-Year CAGR +4.6% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year -33.7% ▼
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.2%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.2%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
55.5%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.0%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 77554

Population: 9,973

💰 Median Household Income
$86,912
This area
$86,912
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
32.4%
This area
32.4%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
3.4%
This area
3.4%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
47.5%
This area
47.5%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
53.4 years
This area
53.4 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
55.5%
This area
55.5%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 85.4%
Other/Mixed 8.4%
Hispanic/Latino 4.8%
Asian 3.2%
Black/African American 3.0%
👶 Under 18
8.0%
This area
8.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
24.9%
This area
24.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.5%
This area
3.5%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 77554

A+ Avg School Grade
1 Schools
14.2:1 Avg Class Size
$19,342 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

OPPE EL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
624 Students
👨‍🏫
14.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 1,749 Off-Campus Students
C+
Galveston College
2,119 students · 8.0 mi
C
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
3,315 students · 10.5 mi
C+
College of the Mainland
4,961 students · 12.2 mi

Investor Insight: With 1,749 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do experienced investors play Galveston, TX?

Investors who focus on careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management typically do well in Galveston, TX. The numbers - $526K homes against $1,484/mo rents - support that play.

Is Galveston, TX a friendly market for rental owners?

For rental operators, Galveston, TX rates as landlord-friendly. The regulatory environment standard buy-and-hold operations.

How quickly do rentals get leased in Galveston, TX?

Vacancy risk in Galveston, TX is elevated. That supports stable cash flow for typical rental holds.

Is house hacking profitable in Galveston, TX?

House hacking works a challenging in Galveston, TX. Rents of $1,484/mo against $526K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.

How strong is tenant demand in Galveston, TX?

Galveston, TX draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $1,484/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

You know 77554 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 77554 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 77554 ranks in Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable → 1% Rule →
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