Rents are 10% below what Richardson's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
Bedroom figures are derived from HUD Fair Market Rents and scaled to match Richardson's market median, because the published HUD values all ran above it. They are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).
12-month history
Last updated: October 17, 2026
What the numbers show
January. Asking rents in Richardson usually run 0.8% below trend in January and 1.2% above it in August, about $33 a month apart at today's median. Based on 11 years of data.
Rent in Richardson is 2.1% below its high of $1,683 in August 2022, at $1,648 as of September 2026.
Rent in Richardson changed +1.2% over the year to September 2026. Across the 224 Texas cities Zillow tracks, the typical change was +1.0%.
From 2019 to 2024, rent in Richardson rose 22.1% while median household income rose 14.5% ($85,678 to $98,111). Rent outpaced income.
Rent in Richardson is 20.9% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.
Rent has risen 4 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.
30% of the median household income ($98,111) is $2,453 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 2-bedroom ($2,200); a 3-bedroom is $2,757.
The priciest of 3 ZIP codes in Richardson, 75080 ($1,780/mo), costs 11% more than the cheapest, 75081 ($1,607/mo).
Mesquite, 15 miles away, rents for 12% less ($1,458/mo), about $2,300 a year in savings.
From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for Richardson. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.
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Who lives here
Richardson, TX is roughly split between renters and owners, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income above the national average, 57% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Richardson, TX has changed in 5 years
The median rent in Richardson, TX stood at $1,389 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,648, reflecting a 18.6% increase over the period. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $87,720 in 2021 to $98,111 more recently. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 2.4% since 2021, moving from about 115,904 residents to roughly 118,731. Renters now make up 49.3% of households, compared with 46% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 57% of adults here, versus 53.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Richardson, TX market of 2021.
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Can you afford rent in Richardson on your salary?
At $1,648/mo, how Richardson rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Richardson rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Richardson. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Richardson
Last updated: October 17, 2026
The median rent in Richardson is $1,648/mo as of October 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,242/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,532/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,304/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,920/mo.
At 20% of local median household income ($98,111/yr), Richardson ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.2% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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How does Richardson rent compare to other cities in Texas?
At $1,648/mo, rent takes ~20% of Richardson's median household income ($98,111/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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