Galveston, TX vs Plainview, TX

The cost of living difference between Galveston, TX and Plainview, TX is dramatic. Plainview is 46.8% cheaper than Galveston, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Galveston has a cost index of 98 while Plainview sits at 67, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Galveston is $1,278/month compared to $811/month in Plainview — a 58% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Plainview is more affordable at $107,800 median vs $294,300.

Median household income in Galveston is $57,216 compared to $45,991 in Plainview (+24.4%). The higher salaries in Galveston partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Galveston spend roughly 26.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Plainview.

Climate-wise, Galveston is notably warmer with an average of 72.3°F compared to 61.4°F in Plainview. Galveston receives more rainfall at 47.2" per year compared to 18.3" in Plainview.