Real Estate Investing in Galveston, Texas (77550)

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

Galveston County • Population: 23,542 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 77550 (Galveston, TX)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
WEAK FIT
Grade F (35/100)

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
2 flags
  • High vacancy: 27.6% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • 1-year downturn: Values declined 3.3% in the last year.

What’s happening in Galveston, TX (77550)?

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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 $288,467
Avg Monthly Rent $1,429
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $47,366
% Renters 58.7%

Market Analysis: 77550 Galveston

On the rental side, ZIP 77550 has challenges — vacancy pressure, softer price growth, and tenant stability concerns sit alongside the $288K median. It rewards specialists, not generalists.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $288K asset, 77550 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

Within TX, ZIP 77550 trails on several market indicators that neighboring Galveston County submarkets outperform. The gap is real and sturdy enough to shape underwriting.

The 77550 ZIP's population of 23,542 has faced economic pressure over the last decade. That pressure shows up in rent delinquency patterns that reports the need for careful underwriting.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 77550, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

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: 57/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
14/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
10/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.1× the median income
Value Trend
Declining (-3.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,429/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 77550

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
1BR
4.0% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+6.2% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
4BR
$109,548/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
1BR $210,125 $1,160 4.0% +6.1% $210,125
2BR $270,044 $1,380 3.7% +6.2% $135,022
3BR $343,305 $1,860 3.9% +6.0% $114,435
4BR $438,190 $2,320 3.8% +6.0% $109,548
5BR $555,700 +5.1% $111,140

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$352K$298K$244K$191K$137K$83KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,517$1,388$1,260$1,131$1,002$873Dec 2018Oct 2022Jul 2026

📊 How Does 77550 Compare?

Metric 77550 Galveston Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX Texas
Home Value $288,467 $264,863 N/A $297,000
5-Year CAGR 1.8% 1.6% N/A 5.4%
Avg Rent $1,429 $1,376 N/A -
Cap Rate 3.9% 3.3% - -
💡 Why Invest in 77550? Click to expand

59% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 77550 (Galveston, TX). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Fair
Cap Rate
3.9%
Low
5yr Growth
+1.8%
Slow

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $288,467
Monthly Rent $1,429
Price-to-Rent 16.8:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.9%
Cap Rate 3.9%
5-Year IRR 5.6%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year -3.3% ▼
3-Year CAGR -3.9% ▼
5-Year CAGR +1.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.4% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +6.6% ▲
3-Year CAGR +3.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.9%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.9%). 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
27.6%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+1.8%
Flat
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 77550

Population: 23,542

💰 Median Household Income
$47,366
This area
$47,366
State
$70,593
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
58.7%
This area
58.7%
State
29.5%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.2%
This area
5.2%
State
-25.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
32.7%
This area
32.7%
State
-5.8%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.2 years
This area
39.2 years
State
-3.7 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
27.6%
This area
27.6%
State
18.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 59.0%
Black/African American 20.5%
Other/Mixed 17.0%
Hispanic/Latino 14.2%
Asian 3.5%
👶 Under 18
14.4%
This area
14.4%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.9%
This area
18.9%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
15.4%
This area
15.4%
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 77550

A Avg School Grade
9 Schools
13.0:1 Avg Class Size
$19,342 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

AUSTIN MIDDLE

📚 05 – 06 School
👥
392 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
A+ Excellent

MORGAN EL MAGNET SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
572 Students
👨‍🏫
13.6:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
A+ Excellent
👥
315 Students
👨‍🏫
12.0:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
A+ Excellent

WEIS

📚 Grade 05 Elementary
👥
405 Students
👨‍🏫
14.7:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
A Very Good

CENTRAL MIDDLE

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
826 Students
👨‍🏫
13.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
A Very Good

BURNET EL

📚 Pre-K – 04 Elementary
👥
556 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
A Very Good

MOODY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

📚 Grade PK Elementary Charter
👥
141 Students
👨‍🏫
10.4:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
B+ Above Average

AIM COLLEGE & CAREER PREP

📚 07 – 12 High School
👥
87 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$19,342 Per Student
B+ Above Average

BALL H S

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
1,951 Students
👨‍🏫
16.5:1 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
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
3,315 students · 0.1 mi
C+
Galveston College
2,119 students · 2.6 mi
C+
College of the Mainland
4,961 students · 14.7 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 quickly do rentals get leased in Galveston, TX?

Occupancy in Galveston, TX runs consistent with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $1,429/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Which real estate strategy fits Galveston, TX?

In Galveston, TX the solid play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $288K prices and $1,429/mo rents suits that approach.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Galveston, TX?

Galveston, TX offers a predictable renter base at the $1,429/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

What is it like being a landlord in Galveston, TX?

Rental owners in Galveston, TX deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

Where do home prices stand in Galveston, TX?

In Galveston, TX the median home value sits at $288K. Against the broader TX market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

You know 77550 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

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How 77550 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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