Galveston Property Tax Rates: 2026 Rates by City, School District & Taxing Entity
If you own property in Galveston County, understanding your Galveston property tax rate is essential to managing your annual tax bill. The total property tax rate for a typical Galveston County homeowner ranges from approximately 1.58% to 1.96%, depending on which city and school district your property falls in. For a homeowner in the City of Galveston with a median-valued home of $335,000, the total annual property tax bill is approximately $5,279.
Your bill is the sum of taxes levied by Galveston County, your city, your school district, and any special districts that cover your property. To understand how Texas property taxes work at a fundamental level, each of these entities sets its own rate annually.
Galveston County Tax Rates by Taxing Entity (Tax Year 2026)
The table below shows a typical tax bill for a homeowner in the City of Galveston within Galveston ISD:
| Taxing Entity | Rate per $100 | Est. Tax on $335,000 Home | Share of Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston ISD | $0.8415 | $2,819 | 53% |
| City of Galveston | $0.4087 | $1,369 | 26% |
| Galveston County | $0.3257 | $1,091 | 21% |
| Total | ~$1.58 | ~$5,279 | 100% |
Your exact rate depends on where you live. Galveston County has wide variation in city and school district rates. Here's how the total changes by area:
| Area | Total Rate | Est. Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|
| City of Galveston / Galveston ISD ($335K home) | ~$1.58 | ~$5,279 |
| League City / Clear Creek ISD ($385K home) | ~$1.66 | ~$6,385 |
| Texas City / Texas City ISD ($250K home) | ~$1.96 | ~$4,899 |
Properties in Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) or other special districts - common in newer developments near League City, Dickinson, and Santa Fe - pay additional taxes on top of these rates.
School Districts: The Largest Share
School district taxes make up the largest portion of every Galveston County homeowner's bill, typically 50-60% of the total. Rates vary significantly by district:
| ISD | Total Rate | M&O | I&S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston ISD | $0.8415 | $0.6769 | $0.1646 |
| Clear Creek ISD | $0.9690 | $0.6990 | $0.2700 |
| Dickinson ISD | $1.1420 | $0.7220 | $0.4200 |
| Texas City ISD | $1.1543 | $0.8519 | $0.3024 |
The difference between the lowest rate (Galveston ISD at $0.8415) and the highest (Texas City ISD at $1.1543) amounts to $1,047 per year on the same $335,000 home. Texas City ISD has the highest M&O rate at $0.8519, while Galveston ISD's low I&S rate of $0.1646 reflects a manageable debt load.
Clear Creek ISD - the largest district in the county by enrollment, serving League City, Friendswood, and Webster - held its rate unchanged from the prior year at $0.9690.
City Rates
| City | 2026 Rate | 2025 Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas City | $0.4797 | $0.4886 | -1.8% |
| City of Galveston | $0.4087 | ~$0.4300 | -5.0% |
| League City | $0.3636 | $0.3690 | -1.5% |
The City of Galveston saw the largest decrease after the city council was unable to reach the required supermajority for a higher rate of $0.4302. Under state law, Galveston was forced to adopt the no-new-revenue rate by the October 1 deadline, resulting in approximately $2.44 million in budget cuts. The lower rate saves the average Galveston homeowner roughly $65 per year.
League City adopted its no-new-revenue rate and also increased its senior and disabled homestead exemption from $100,000 to $200,000 - the largest city-level exemption in the county.
Galveston County
Galveston County's adopted rate for tax year 2026 is $0.3257 per $100, down from $0.3419 the prior year - a 4.7% decrease. The county commissioners adopted the rate unanimously as part of a $306.6 million FY 2026 budget. The county rate has dropped every year for at least five consecutive years.
How Galveston County Compares to Nearby Counties
Galveston County's total property tax rates are among the lowest in the greater Houston area:
| County Area | Approximate Total Rate | Avg. Annual Tax Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Galveston (City of Galveston) | ~1.58% | ~$5,279 |
| Fort Bend (Sugar Land) | ~1.84% | ~$6,984 |
| Harris (Houston) | ~2.0% | ~$6,498 |
| Brazoria (Pearland) | ~2.26% | ~$7,678 |
Galveston County benefits from a lower county rate and lower school district rates than many neighboring counties. However, direct comparisons require context - home values, special district coverage, and the specific city/ISD combination all affect the final bill. Higher-rate areas within Galveston County (like Texas City ISD at ~1.96%) are comparable to Harris County rates.
How Galveston County Tax Rates Have Changed
The county tax rate has dropped 37% over five years, driven by rising property values expanding the tax base:
| Year | County Rate | Change from 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $0.5161 | - |
| 2021 | $0.4750 | -8% |
| 2022 | $0.4200 | -19% |
| 2023 | $0.3700 | -28% |
| 2024 | $0.3419 | -34% |
| 2025 | $0.3257 | -37% |
Despite falling rates, total tax bills for most homeowners have remained flat or increased because rising appraised values offset rate reductions. If your bill has gone up unexpectedly, read about common reasons your Galveston property tax bill may have increased.
How Your Galveston County Property Tax Bill Is Calculated
Your property tax bill is calculated using this formula:
Property Tax = (Appraised Value - Exemptions) × Tax Rate
Example: City of Galveston homeowner with a $335,000 home and homestead exemption
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Appraised value | $335,000 |
| Less: School homestead exemption | -$100,000 |
| Taxable value (school) | $235,000 |
| Galveston ISD tax ($235,000 × 0.8415%) | $1,978 |
| City of Galveston tax ($335,000 × 0.4087%) | $1,369 |
| County tax ($335,000 × 0.3257%) | $1,091 |
| Total estimated bill | $4,438 |
Note: The $100,000 homestead exemption only applies to school district taxes. The city and county may offer their own smaller exemptions. Your actual bill depends on which entities tax your property and what exemptions you've filed. Learn more about how appraised value, assessed value, and taxable value work.
Why Your Galveston Property Tax Bill May Be Higher Than Expected
Even if tax rates stay flat or decrease, your bill can increase because:
Rising Appraisals
The Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD) revalues all properties annually. Even with the county median holding relatively steady at ~$335,000, individual properties may see larger increases based on local market conditions, improvements, or corrections to prior valuations.
Voter-Approved Bonds
Bond elections authorize additional debt repaid through the Interest & Sinking (I&S) portion of tax rates. School districts in particular carry significant I&S rates - Dickinson ISD's I&S rate of $0.4200 is the highest in the county.
MUD and Special District Taxes
If your property is in a Municipal Utility District or other special district - common in newer developments in League City, Dickinson, and Santa Fe - you pay additional taxes that don't appear in the base rates above. MUD rates can add $0.25–$1.00+ per $100 on top of standard entities.
How to Lower Your Galveston Property Taxes
You have two primary tools to reduce your property tax bill:
1. File for Homestead Exemption
If you haven't already, apply for your homestead exemption. The $100,000 school district exemption alone saves a typical Galveston County homeowner roughly $841 per year in school taxes at the Galveston ISD rate. The deadline is April 30, and you can file up to two years late. See the full list of Texas homeowner property tax exemptions to make sure you're not leaving money on the table.
League City homeowners age 65+ or disabled should also apply for the city's enhanced $200,000 exemption.
2. Protest Your Appraised Value
Since your tax bill is driven by your appraised value, protesting your property tax appraisal is the most effective way to lower your bill. GCAD uses mass appraisal methods that frequently overvalue individual properties. Learn about the benefits of filing a property tax protest.
When you receive your Notice of Appraised Value in April-May, review it carefully and file a protest before the May 15 deadline. If you've noticed a sudden increase in your bill, read more about why your Galveston County property tax bill may have gone up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Galveston County property tax rate?
The Galveston County rate is $0.3257 per $100 of assessed value for tax year 2026. However, this is only the county portion. Your total Galveston property tax rate includes the county, your city, your school district, and any special districts. Total rates typically range from 1.58% to 1.96% depending on location.
When are Galveston County property taxes due?
Galveston County property taxes are due by January 31 of the year following the tax year. For example, tax year 2026 bills are due January 31, 2027. If you miss the deadline, penalties and interest begin accruing on February 1. You can pay online through the Galveston County Tax Office website.
How do I protest my Galveston County property taxes?
You can protest your property's appraised value by filing a notice of protest with the Galveston Central Appraisal District (GCAD) by May 15 (or 30 days after your notice of appraised value is mailed, whichever is later). Read our complete Galveston County property tax protest guide for step-by-step instructions.
What exemptions are available for Galveston County homeowners?
Galveston County homeowners can claim a $100,000 school homestead exemption, plus additional exemptions for seniors (age 65+), disabled homeowners, and veterans. Some cities offer local exemptions as well - League City, for example, offers a $200,000 exemption for seniors and disabled homeowners. See our guide to Texas property tax exemptions for the full list.
Why did my Galveston property tax bill go up if rates went down?
This is one of the most common questions from Galveston County homeowners. Even when tax rates decrease, your bill can rise if your property's appraised value increased by a larger percentage. Rising home values, new construction, and voter-approved bonds all contribute. Learn more about why your Galveston property tax bill increased.
How does Galveston County's property tax rate compare to other Texas counties?
Galveston County has some of the lowest total property tax rates in the Houston metro area. A typical total rate of ~1.58% in the City of Galveston compares favorably to Harris County (~2.0%), Fort Bend County (~1.84%), and Brazoria County (~2.26%). See the full comparison table above.
See how Galveston County compares to all 18 counties we serve in our Texas Property Tax Rates by County comparison.
Get Help With Your Galveston County Property Tax Protest
Ballard Property Tax Protest represents homeowners across Galveston County. We handle the entire protest process - from filing to informal hearings to ARB representation - and you only pay if we reduce your appraised value.
No reduction, no fee.