Port Bolivar, Texas Short-Term Rental Market
Galveston Bay area STR market averaged $296 ADR, 37.4% occupancy and $3,093 monthly revenue in September 2026
Quick Answer: Port Bolivar, Texas is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Galveston market area is 37%. average monthly revenue in the Galveston market area is $3,093. average daily rate in the Galveston market area is $296. the top operator in the Galveston market area is Vacasa with 386 listings. market score is 54/100 (grade D).
Market data reflects the Galveston regional market, which includes Port Bolivar. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Port Bolivar.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Port Bolivar sits on the western tip of the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County, reached by the free 24-hour Galveston-Port Bolivar Ferry. Short-term rental performance here is tracked at the Galveston Bay area level, shared with neighboring communities, so every performance figure on this page describes the Galveston Bay area STR market rather than Port Bolivar alone.
In September 2026 the Galveston Bay area STR market averaged an ADR of $296, occupancy of 37.4% and average monthly revenue of $3,093 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 20.8%, ADR rose 6.8% and revenue rose 15.9%. Those are strong gains, but they start from a month that is seasonally soft: the long run September average is 35.0% occupancy and a $268 ADR.
Entire home listings averaged a $300 ADR and $3,120 in monthly revenue in September. Houses earned $3,528 per month, compared with $2,129 for apartments. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Port Bolivar, so this profile omits them.
Year to date, 2026 is running ahead of recent years. Across the first nine months, occupancy averaged 47.2%, ADR was $308 and monthly revenue was $4,199, versus 43.3%, $286 and $3,603 for full year 2025.
Demand is mostly leisure and seasonal. Visitors come for roughly 27 miles of drive-on Gulf beach, fishing, birding and beach-house stays, plus day trips to the Bolivar Lighthouse and Fort Travis Seashore Park. The Texas Crab Festival on Mother’s Day weekend adds a spring spike. Port Bolivar has a population of 1,907, and the peninsula works as a lower-density, more affordable alternative to Galveston Island for STR owners and second-home buyers. The typical home value in the area was $381,039 as of August 31, 2026, with 396 homes for sale.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 27% |
| Feb | 39% |
| Mar | 52% |
| Apr | 41% |
| May | 51% |
| Jun | 67% |
| Jul | 69% |
| Aug | 46% |
| Sep | 35% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 31% |
| Dec | 32% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Port Bolivar are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Galveston market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Galveston market as a whole, which includes Port Bolivar, so these counts are not Port Bolivar-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 386 | 21,460 | ★ 4.39 |
| 2 | Ryson Vacation Rentals by Vtrips | 370 | 7,450 | ★ 4.33 |
| 3 | Evolve | 354 | 17,277 | ★ 4.57 |
| 4 | Sand `N Sea Properties | 195 | 1,185 | ★ 4.66 |
| 5 | Cobb Real Estate | 190 | 3,899 | ★ 4.79 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Port Bolivar?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Port Bolivar are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 23.4% |
| vrbo | 11.5% |
| both | 65% |
Home Value Trends (Port Bolivar)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Port Bolivar are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Port Bolivar — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Port Bolivar is an unincorporated community in Galveston County, outside the City of Galveston, and short-term rentals are permitted. There is no city zoning code, no municipal STR overlay, and no density cap. Galveston County currently has no separate STR license or permit requirement for unincorporated areas, so no permit is required and there is no permit fee or renewal. There are no county limits on nights per year, and no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement.
The City of Galveston’s STR ordinance, which includes an annual registration and Park Board oversight and was tightened in early 2026, does not apply on the Bolivar Peninsula. No new county-level STR ordinance for unincorporated areas was found as of mid-2026.
Taxes are the main obligation. Operators owe the 6% Texas state Hotel Occupancy Tax, remitted to the Comptroller with a Texas taxpayer number, plus a county hotel occupancy tax. Sources cite a combined rate of about 15% for unincorporated Galveston County. Confirm the exact county portion with the Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office. Airbnb and Vrbo may collect the state portion automatically.
The main private-side limit is HOA rules and subdivision deed restrictions, which can restrict rentals regardless of county rules. Check them before buying. Enforcement is minimal at the county level, with no dedicated STR compliance program, and is driven mostly by tax remittance and noise or nuisance complaints. Rules can change, so verify current requirements before listing.
Market Comparison
In September 2026 the Galveston Bay area STR market ran a $296 ADR at 37.4% occupancy. Year to date 2026 occupancy is 47.2%, and only June and July (67.1% and 69.5%) average above 60%.
The result is a market where revenue depends on rate and on the summer season rather than on year-round volume. Annual revenue per listing of about $39,913 is built from a few strong months, so investors should compare it with their own carrying costs month by month rather than assume an even monthly return.
Port Bolivar’s regulatory position is a point in its favor. There is no permit, no night cap, and no owner-occupancy rule in unincorporated Galveston County, which contrasts with the licensing and tightened rules inside the City of Galveston. Operator names and market share are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Port Bolivar, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Port Bolivar, Texas
What is the average Airbnb nightly rate in the Port Bolivar area?
What is the occupancy rate for short-term rentals near Port Bolivar?
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Port Bolivar?
What is the best time of year for Port Bolivar vacation rentals?
How much does a typical home cost in the Port Bolivar area?
How far in advance do guests book, and how long do they stay?
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