Town in Galveston County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Bolivar Peninsula, TX

C-

473rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 36 of 100
73rd of 125 in the Houston area

Bolivar Peninsula gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 473rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and education levels, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.

  • Getting around scores low (3 of 100)
  • River flooding risk is very high
Map of Texas showing where Bolivar Peninsula isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthBolivar Peninsula
Where Bolivar Peninsula is in Texas.
Population
2,951
Median rent
$1,64817% higher than Texas
Median home value
$315,50011% higher than Texas
Household income
$75,547Median
Average commute
52 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Bolivar Peninsula

Bolivar Peninsula sits about 54 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. About 2,951 people live here. It is small-town and rural in feel, with mostly newer homes (the median home was built in 2006).

Local spots people know include Fort Travis Park, Port Bolivar Community Park and The Dunes - Crystal Beach.

The median age is 62.5, 7% of households have children, 95% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $75,547 a year (about the same as the Texas median).

Pros of living in Bolivar Peninsula

No clear standouts in our data.

Cons of living in Bolivar Peninsula

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,648, 17% higher than the Texas median.
  • Long commutes. The average trip to work takes 52 minutes, against 27 across Texas.
  • Errands mean a drive. Compared with similar Texas places, fewer homes here are within a mile of a grocery store, pharmacy, park or clinic.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of river flooding, coastal flooding and hurricanes as very high here.

Who Bolivar Peninsula suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 24% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is about the same as the Texas median, with 27 restaurants and 3 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 33% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 12% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 28% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 90% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,648 is 17% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 34% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,648 is 17% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 43% for people on a budget.

Bolivar Peninsula report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Bolivar Peninsula with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade C

    Median rent $1,648, homes cost 4.2x income.

    43 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B+

    Median household income $75,547, 0% unemployed.

    73 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade C-

    2 rated campuses, 50% rated A or B.

    33 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade D

    1 grocery store, 27 restaurants, 15 parks mapped in town.

    20 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 52 min, 4.3% work from home.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C+

    14% have a bachelor’s degree.

    55 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade C-

    12% of adults uninsured.

    39 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade C+

    95% of homes owner-occupied.

    49 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade C+

    90% of homes have broadband.

    51 of 100 vs US towns

Where Bolivar Peninsula stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 0%52 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 95%33 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 12%8 points lower than Texas (20%)

Worse than Texas

  • Vacant homes: 51%42 points higher than Texas (9.4%)
  • Average commute: 52 min97% higher than Texas (27 min)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14%20 points lower than Texas (34%)

Cost of living in Bolivar Peninsula

Bolivar Peninsula renters pay a median of $1,648 a month, 17% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $66,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 0% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,261 for a one-bedroom, $1,497 for a two-bedroom and $2,017 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $315,500, 11% higher than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $1,727 before tax, or $1,987 with property tax. That is $339 a month more than the median rent, a gap that can be worth it if you plan to stay a while.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Bolivar Peninsula pays $3,116 a year, 26% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in Bolivar PeninsulaStudio$1,2331 bedroom$1,2612 bedrooms$1,4973 bedrooms$2,0174 bedrooms$2,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent17% higher than Texas$1,648$1,403$1,413
Median home value11% higher than Texas$315,500$283,800$332,700
Home value to income15% higher than Texas4.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent52 points lower than Texas0%52%51%
Median property tax per year26% lower than Texas$3,116$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them33 points higher than Texas95%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas200619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$1,987
Mortgage payment
$1,727
Property tax
$260
Median rent, for comparison
$1,648

Based on a $315,500 home in Bolivar Peninsula, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Schools in Bolivar Peninsula

Bolivar Peninsula has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 50% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by High Island ISD and Galveston ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
33
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
77
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BHigh Island SchoolOther, High Island ISD82 of 100
  • CCrenshaw El and MiddleOther, Galveston ISD72 of 100

Daily life in Bolivar Peninsula

Everyday places mapped inside Bolivar Peninsula, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Fort Travis Park, Port Bolivar Community Park, The Dunes - Crystal Beach.

The average one-way commute is 52 minutes, 97% longer than the Texas average. 4% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Houston is about 54 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Bolivar Peninsula work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $75,547, income per person is $42,354, unemployment is 0% and 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
27
Cafes
3
Bars
4
Parks
15
Gyms
2
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income4% lower than Texas$75,547$78,476$80,734
Income per person4% higher than Texas$42,354$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line2 points lower than Texas12%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher20 points lower than Texas14%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher12 points higher than Texas98%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance8 points lower than Texas12%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet1 points lower than Texas90%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute97% higher than Texas52 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home10 points lower than Texas4.3%14%15%
Workers who work from home4.3%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0.1%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Bolivar Peninsula

Under 187.8%
18 to 346.1%
35 to 6448%
65 and over38%

Median age 62.5 years. 6.7% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White83%
Hispanic or Latino9.7%
Black6.5%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race1.1%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Bolivar Peninsula

Bolivar Peninsula has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 91°F and January lows about 43°F. There are about 68 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 60 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Bolivar Peninsula40°60°80°100°62J66F71M77A83M89J91J92A88S81O72N64DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Anahuac, 21 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is very high, coastal flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is high and hail risk is moderate. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingVery high
  • Coastal floodingVery high
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesHigh
  • HailModerate
  • Heat wavesModerate
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery low
  • Strong windLow

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Bolivar Peninsula

Nearby, Anahuac gets a D+, San Leon gets a D+ and Beach City gets a C. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. D+AnahuacTown, 2,892 people20 mi
  2. D+San LeonTown, 6,458 people21 mi
  3. CBeach CityTown, 3,309 people23 mi
  4. DGalvestonCity, 53,424 people23 mi
  5. D-Texas CityCity, 55,364 people23 mi
  6. ATiki IslandTown, 1,210 people23 mi

Bolivar Peninsula in the Houston area

How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
  3. 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
  4. 70C-Conroe102,360 people38 mito downtown
  5. 71C-Montgomery2,489 people46 mito downtown
  6. 72C-Roman Forest2,336 people31 mito downtown
  7. 73C-Bolivar Peninsula2,951 people54 mito downtown
  8. 74C-Spring68,580 people19 mito downtown
  9. 75C-Jacinto City9,432 people9 mito downtown
  10. 76C-Clute10,715 people52 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of houston

Living in Bolivar Peninsula: common questions

Is Bolivar Peninsula, TX a good place to live?

Bolivar Peninsula gets an overall grade of C- and ranks 473rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on jobs and income and education levels, and trails on getting around and errands and things to do.

How much does it cost to live in Bolivar Peninsula?

Renters in Bolivar Peninsula pay a median of $1,648 a month, 17% higher than the Texas median. The median home is worth $315,500, 11% higher than the Texas median. A median home costs 4.2x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $1,987, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Bolivar Peninsula?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Bolivar Peninsula. 50% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 33 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Bolivar Peninsula flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Bolivar Peninsula as very high, and coastal flooding as very high. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, coastal flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Bolivar Peninsula?

Summers in Bolivar Peninsula peak at about 91°F in July, and January nights fall to about 43°F. Expect around 68 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 60 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Bolivar Peninsula?

The average one-way commute is 52 min, 97% higher than the Texas average. About 4.3% of workers work from home. It is about 54 miles from downtown Houston.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.