Quick Summary
- Texas added nearly 73,000 net new renters from 2023 to 2024, making it the top renter destination in the United States, according to CultureMap Dallas reporting on Apartments.com data.
- Dallas-Fort Worth rent growth has recently slipped into negative territory as thousands of new apartment units enter the market across North Texas.
- More renters are relocating to Texas from high-cost states like California and New York.
- The Dallas housing and apartment market may finally be shifting in favor of renters after years of aggressive rent increases.
Texas is continuing to dominate as one of the fastest-growing housing markets in America, and now the state has another title to add to the list: the number one destination for renters.
According to CultureMap Dallas, citing new data from Apartments.com and the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas gained nearly 73,000 net new renters between 2023 and 2024. That means significantly more people moved into Texas rentals than moved out during that time period.
For Dallas-Fort Worth, this trend is especially important because it highlights how North Texas continues attracting new residents, workers, and apartment renters from across the country.
Dallas-Fort Worth Rent Growth Is Starting to Slow
One of the biggest takeaways from the report is that Dallas-Fort Worth rent growth has recently slipped into negative territory. That shift is happening because of a massive wave of new apartment construction across the DFW metroplex.
For years, Dallas renters faced rising lease prices, low inventory, and intense competition for quality apartments. But now, thousands of newly built apartment units are hitting the market throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Arlington, and other fast-growing North Texas suburbs.
According to Apartments.com, Dallas remains highly attractive because of strong job growth, modern apartment communities, and continued housing availability compared to many expensive coastal cities.
In my opinion, this is one of the most important housing shifts Dallas renters have seen in years. Renters may finally gain more negotiating power as apartment supply catches up with demand. That could lead to more concessions, move-in specials, and competitive lease pricing throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Why So Many People Are Moving to Dallas and Texas
The report also highlights that many renters moving into Texas are coming from high-cost states like California and New York.
Dallas-Fort Worth continues attracting residents because of:
- Strong employment opportunities
- Corporate relocations
- Lower cost of living compared to coastal markets
- No state income tax
- Expanding apartment inventory
- Continued population growth across North Texas
Apartment List data mentioned in the report shows Dallas renters are commonly relocating from Houston, Austin, and New York City.
Meanwhile, Austin is seeing widespread apartment incentives, with more than 60 percent of apartment properties reportedly offering one to two months of free rent. San Antonio currently has one of the highest apartment vacancy rates in the country, while Houston continues to stand out for affordability and apartment availability.
What This Means for the Dallas Real Estate Market
Even though this report focuses heavily on renters, it also impacts the broader Dallas housing market.
When apartment supply increases and rent growth slows, some renters may choose to continue renting longer before buying a home. At the same time, lower rental pressure can create opportunities for buyers who are carefully watching affordability and mortgage rates.
Dallas-Fort Worth remains one of the strongest long-term real estate markets in Texas because of continued migration, infrastructure growth, business expansion, and economic development throughout the metroplex.
Whether you are relocating to Dallas, investing in North Texas real estate, buying your first home, or searching for a new apartment, understanding local housing trends matters more than ever in 2026.
According to CultureMap Dallas and Apartments.com, Texas is entering a new housing phase where renter demand remains strong, but growing apartment supply is finally giving renters more leverage than they have had in years.
If you are buying or selling a home in Dallas-Fort Worth, contact me, Fnu Milat, Dallas Realtor, PSA, SRS, at 214-282-8574.
If you are looking for new construction homes in DFW and Texas, I have direct-to-builder access to real-time inventory and incentives, including homes that haven’t hit the MLS or public sites yet. Click here for your personal link to my portal.
For more insight into North Texas housing trends, you can also read my related article: “Top 10 Biggest Cities in DFW and Their Median Home Prices in 2026.”
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FAQs
Why are so many renters moving to Texas?
Texas continues attracting renters because of job growth, lower living costs compared to states like California and New York, no state income tax, and expanding housing inventory in cities like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
Are rent prices dropping in Dallas-Fort Worth?
According to Apartments.com data shared by CultureMap Dallas, Dallas-Fort Worth rent growth has recently slipped into negative territory due to a large increase in apartment construction and available inventory.
Is Dallas still a good place to move in 2026?
Dallas-Fort Worth remains one of the fastest-growing metro areas in America because of strong employment growth, business expansion, population growth, and continued real estate development throughout North Texas.
What does more apartment inventory mean for renters?
Higher apartment inventory can give renters more negotiating power, including lower rent increases, move-in specials, lease incentives, and more housing options across DFW.