There's a saying in Texas that everything's bigger here. And, you may think that upon first thought. Texas is the second-largest state in the country, and Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the nation with a population of about 1.4 million people.
But rent prices aren't bigger here, the average rent in Dallas is actually fairly affordable compared to other cities of that size.
Rent throughout the South increased in 2020, and Dallas followed that trend. The average rent in Dallas for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,547, an increase of 5.06 percent from 2019.
However, rent in Dallas remains lower than the national average of $1,617.
Living in Dallas means you'll want to spend your free time — and disposable income — exploring the area.
Financial experts suggest setting aside 30 percent of your pre-tax income for rent. With the average rent in Dallas for a one-bedroom apartment $1,547, you'd need an annual salary of about $60,000.
To determine how much you can afford for your apartment, use our rent calculator.
Dallas ranks as one of the top 55 most expensive cities to call home in the United States. With an overall cost of living index of 108.5 — 8.5 percent higher than the national average — it's slightly ahead of Manchester, NH, and lower than Denver.
While the average rent in Dallas is $1,547 per month, rent does vary depending on where you choose to live. With several major attractions, such as museums, sports and concerts, the most expensive neighborhoods are near downtown Dallas, as well as the area immediately surrounding it.
The least expensive neighborhoods are east and south of downtown, where you'll find more family-friendly and bedroom-type communities.
With the average rent in Dallas' most expensive neighborhoods ranging from $1,908 per month to $2,501, you'll want to determine which is important to you, including your work commute and personal interests.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knox Henderson | $2,501 | 18.51% |
| 2 | Preston Hollow | $2,439 | -14.42% |
| 3 | Victory Park | $2,184 | -10.23% |
| 4 | Main Street District | $2,180 | 18.19% |
| 5 | Hamilton Park | $2,071 | 15.86% |
| 6 | East Dallas | $2,053 | 17.54% |
| 7 | Vickery Place | $2,009 | 2.88% |
| 8 | Uptown | $1,974 | 4.47% |
| 9 | Old East Dallas | $1,914 | 28.63% |
| 10 | Downtown | $1,908 | 1.38% |
The least expensive neighborhoods in Dallas are typically located to the east and south of the downtown area. While they're fairly close to downtown, several offer the comfort of a suburban feel. Each neighborhood tends to have a diverse community.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swiss Avenue Historic District* | $625 | -3.85% |
| 2 | Wynnewood North* | $645 | -0.31% |
| 3 | Wynnewood* | $645 | -0.31% |
| 4 | Highland Hills | $708 | -3.42% |
| 5 | Forest Hills | $737 | 5.29% |
| 6 | Cedar Crest* | $742 | N/A |
| 7 | Southeast Dallas | $745 | 2.07% |
| 8 | Riverway Estates-Bruton Terrace | $749 | 5.84% |
| 9 | Buckner Terrace | $756 | -5.82% |
| 10 | Casa View | $813 | 1.13% |
For a complete look at life in the area, here are the average rent prices throughout Dallas.
| Neighborhood | Average 1-BR Rent Price | YoY Rent Price Change |
|---|---|---|
| Bent Tree | $1,330 | -1.55% |
| Buckner Terrace | $756 | -5.82% |
| Camden Farmers Market | $1,238 | N/A |
| Casa View | $813 | 1.13% |
| Cedar Crest* | $742 | N/A |
| Central Dallas | $1,880 | 2.39% |
| City Center District | $1,755 | -3.25% |
| Deep Ellum | $1,764 | 15.98% |
| Design District | $1,824 | 10.28% |
| Downtown | $1,908 | 1.38% |
| East Dallas | $2,053 | 17.54% |
| Famers Market | $1,286 | -46.13% |
| Far North Dallas | $1,230 | 2.70% |
| Five Mile Creek | $884 | 0.59% |
| Forest Hills | $737 | 5.29% |
| Greenway Park | $1,477 | -0.52% |
| Hamilton Park | $2,071 | 15.86% |
| Henderson | $1,655 | 14.35% |
| Highland Hills | $708 | -3.42% |
| Highlands of McKamy | $956 | -3.52% |
| Hillcrest Forest | $1,869 | 7.30% |
| Inwood-Northwest | $1,322 | -3.01% |
| Knox Henderson | $2,501 | 18.51% |
| La L'aceate | $1,452 | -1.57% |
| Lake Cliff | $1,168 | -5.97% |
| Lake Highlands | $1,046 | -2.47% |
| Lakewood | $1,568 | N/A |
| Lovers Lane | $1,691 | 3.14% |
| Main Street District | $2,180 | 18.19% |
| Medical District | $1,422 | -9.60% |
| Midtown | $1,501 | 3.33% |
| North Dallas | $1,899 | -10.03% |
| North Oak Cliff | $1,452 | 9.73% |
| Northeast Dallas | $1,108 | -7.06% |
| Northwest Dallas | $1,359 | -9.25% |
| Oak Cliff | $1,209 | 20.74% |
| Oak Lawn | $1,691 | 3.14% |
| Old East Dallas | $1,914 | 28.63% |
| Preston Hollow | $2,439 | -14.42% |
| Prestonwood | $1,578 | 15.07% |
| RANDCO | $951 | 0.27% |
| Redbird | $918 | 1.63% |
| Riverway Estates-Bruton Terrace | $749 | 5.84% |
| Roseland | $1,536 | -3.41% |
| South Dallas | $1,696 | 13.11% |
| South Side | $1,696 | 13.11% |
| Southeast Dallas | $745 | 2.07% |
| Swiss Avenue Historic District* | $625 | -3.85% |
| Uptown | $1,974 | 4.47% |
| Vickery Meadows | $830 | -4.82% |
| Vickery Place | $2,009 | 2.88% |
| Vickery | $976 | -16.78% |
| Victory Park | $2,184 | -10.23% |
| West Dallas | $1,447 | -2.03% |
| West End Historic District | $1,423 | -11.45% |
| Whispering Hills | $872 | -5.57% |
| White Rock Valley | $1,556 | 11.12% |
| Wynnewood North* | $645 | -0.31% |
| Wynnewood* | $645 | -0.31% |
Whether you prefer the arts and culture that Dallas offers or sports and outdoor attractions, Dallas has you covered. From historical neighborhoods to areas home to trendy clubs and restaurants, you'll be happy to call the Big D home.
Tim is an Omaha-based freelance writer, online content creator and author who loves exploring the Midwest and beyond. In addition to writing The Walking Tourists travel blog, he has co-authored three books with his wife, Lisa: 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die, Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha, and 100 Things to Do in Nebraska Before You Die. Tim is a dad to two daughters and three cat sons. He is an avid sports fan, primarily enjoying football and hockey.