Galveston County, TX Property Tax: $4,238/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Galveston County is 1.49% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $284,900, that works out to about $4,245 per year, or $354 per month. Galveston County is located in southeastern Texas, and is home to approximately 354,721 residents.
About Galveston County
Galveston County covers approximately 379.4 square miles in Texas. The county is home to about 354,721 residents living in roughly 159,379 housing units, of which 58.7% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $85,348, and the median home was built in 1989.
Galveston County borders Brazoria County, Chambers County, Harris County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Texas
Property taxes in Texas are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Texas offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Galveston County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Galveston County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston County, TX | 1.49% | $284,900 | $4,245 |
| Texas state average | 1.28% | — | $3,647* |
| Brazoria County | 1.75% | $276,800 | $4,831 |
| Chambers County | 1.13% | $289,900 | $3,290 |
| Harris County | 1.72% | $255,000 | $4,382 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Galveston County's median home value of $284,900. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Galveston County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Texas?
At 1.49%, Galveston County is higher than the Texas state average of 1.28%. On a home at the county median of $284,900, that means about $4,245 per year — versus $3,647 at the state average rate, a difference of $598 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Galveston County is above average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Galveston County?
For a home at the county median value of $284,900, the annual property tax in Galveston County is approximately $4,245 — or about $354 per month. For a home worth $427,350, expect around $6,368 per year. For a $569,800 home, approximately $8,490 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Galveston County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Galveston County are handled by the Galveston County Assessor's office. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Galveston County?
Texas counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 1.49% shown here. Contact the Galveston County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File