Dallas Rent Prices by Neighborhood in 2026

Dallas's citywide median rent is $1,606 a month, but that number hides a spread from $803 one-bedrooms in Lake Highlands to $2,470 in Highland Park. Where you rent in Dallas is a bigger financial decision than whether you rent in Dallas. The right ZIP can save you $600 to $800 a month against a comparable unit in the wrong one.

All figures from RentDataNow ZIP-level data, April 2026.

The Budget End: East Dallas and Lake Highlands

Lake Highlands (75243) has the cheapest one-bedrooms in the dataset at $803, median rent $1,015, two-bedrooms at $943. Rents fell 4.2% year over year. It's a northeast Dallas neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes and older apartment complexes, good access to White Rock Lake, and a long-running reputation as one of the more affordable areas inside the city limits. The rent drop makes it even more attractive for budget-conscious renters right now.

East Dallas (75228) runs $1,149 median, one-bedrooms at $912, down 4.8% year over year, the steepest decline in the dataset. It borders Lakewood and shares some of that neighborhood's character at a fraction of the price. For renters who want east Dallas access without Lakewood prices, 75228 is the obvious starting point.

Far North Dallas (75252) is down 5.8% to $1,209, one-bedrooms at $958. The sharpest year-over-year decline of any Dallas ZIP in this dataset. It's a suburban corridor near Addison with older apartment stock and easy highway access. Not a destination neighborhood, but a practical one for renters who prioritize cost and commute over walkability.

The Middle Market: Oak Cliff, Deep Ellum, Design District

Oak Cliff and Kessler Park (75208) sit at $1,560 median, one-bedrooms at $1,235, down 2.3% year over year. Oak Cliff is one of the most culturally distinct neighborhoods in Dallas, with a strong Latino identity, a walkable Bishop Arts District, and a housing stock that includes both vintage apartment buildings and newer complexes. It's been appreciating for years, but the current rent decline makes the entry point better than it's been recently.

Deep Ellum (75226) runs $1,572 median, one-bedrooms at $1,244, down 3.0%. Deep Ellum is Dallas's music and arts corridor, dense with bars, venues, and murals. The rental stock is mostly newer apartment buildings built to capitalize on the neighborhood's momentum. Rents fell in part because that supply has outpaced demand. For renters who want walkable nightlife access at a price that's actually moving in the right direction, it's one of the better setups in the city right now.

The Design District (75207) is at $1,539 median, one-bedrooms at $1,218, down 2.9%. It sits between Uptown and West Dallas and has developed a mix of restaurant and creative industry tenants that have made it more of a live-work neighborhood than it was five years ago. West Dallas (75212) is similar at $1,607, down 3.5%, and benefits from easy access to the Trinity Groves dining corridor across the bridge from Oak Cliff.

The Core: Uptown, Oak Lawn, Lower Greenville

Lower Greenville and the M Streets (75206) run $1,926 median, one-bedrooms at $1,528, up 1.5% year over year. This is Dallas's most consistently desirable walkable neighborhood for young professionals, with a commercial strip that has held its character despite significant new development pressure. The rent growth is modest, and the one-bedroom average at $1,528 is still reasonable for what the neighborhood delivers.

Uptown and Knox-Henderson (75204) sit at $1,969 median, one-bedrooms at $1,557, up 4.2%. Uptown is the densest renter neighborhood in Dallas, with high-rise apartment towers, walkable retail and dining, and a proximity to the North Dallas employment corridor that keeps demand strong. The 4.2% growth signals a market that's still absorbing new residents faster than supply responds.

Oak Lawn (75219) is at $2,026 median, one-bedrooms at $2,040, essentially flat year over year at minus 0.1%. Oak Lawn has one of the most stable rent profiles in the city, driven by consistent demand from the LGBTQ community that has anchored it for decades and kept the neighborhood's identity coherent through multiple development cycles.

The Premium End: Highland Park, Preston Hollow, Lakewood

Preston Hollow (75225) is the fastest-appreciating ZIP in the dataset at plus 15.2% year over year, now at $3,024 median with one-bedrooms at $2,470 and two-bedrooms at $2,900. Preston Hollow is one of Dallas's most established luxury neighborhoods, and the sharp increase likely reflects a small sample of high-end rentals driving the median rather than broad market movement. Worth knowing if you're looking there.

Highland Park and University Park (75205) run $2,998 median, one-bedrooms at $2,460, up 6.2%. Highland Park is the most consistently expensive ZIP in Dallas, an enclave suburb within the city limits with its own school district that commands a premium from families who want the location without committing to a purchase. The 6.2% growth reflects demand for a product that doesn't expand.

Lakewood and East Dallas (75214) grew 9.5% to $1,643 median, one-bedrooms at $1,301. Lakewood is one of the most sought-after intown neighborhoods in Dallas for families, with tree-lined streets, White Rock Lake access, and a neighborhood character that's genuinely distinct from the rest of the city. The 9.5% growth is the steepest of the mid-tier neighborhoods and signals a market with more demand than supply.

The City Median in Context

Dallas's $1,606 citywide median and 27% rent-to-income ratio put it in a solid position nationally. Chicago is at $2,328 and rising. Austin is at $1,542 and falling, making it a close comparison for renters deciding between the two Texas metros. The compare tool lets you run Dallas against any city side by side.

For the full neighborhood and ZIP breakdown including the Dallas affordability calculator, the Dallas city page on RentDataNow has the complete picture.