Best Places to Rent a Home in Dallas

Thinking about renting a home in Dallas? Whether you’re new to D-Town or just relocating within the DFW Metro, there are many great neighborhoods for apartment-style living in Dallas offering low costs of living and a variety of things to do. Check out these five best places to rent a home in Dallas!

Deep Ellum
Lakewood
Oak Cliff
Oak Lawn
Preston Hollow

Deep Ellum

Photo via @thecrosbydallastx

Home Price: $1,412 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of Dallas neighborhoods
Renter-Occupied Homes: 90%
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

Hip, eclectic, and marked by street murals, Deep Ellum is a great place to live for active renters in Dallas. Deep Ellum is the unofficial live music capital of North Texas, but visiting the area’s 30+ music venues isn’t the only thing to do in this thriving D-Town neighborhood. Dallas renters living in Deep Ellum will find a number of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants to explore here. Rental prices in this Dallas neighborhood are comparable to the city’s Main Street District and are well worth the cost, given the wealth of entertainment options and cultural hubs throughout the area. From sleek high-rise apartments to stylish condos, Deep Ellum has plenty of options for renters living in Dallas.

Things to Do in Deep Ellum

Bring your instrument of choice and join the acoustic jam session every Thursday at Sons of Hermann Hall, or have a pint for Happy Hour. Socialize on the patio or jam out to indie music acts across a variety of genres at Club Dada. See an ever-changing collection of paintings, photography, mixed media art, and more at Kettle Art Gallery. Shop for skateboards, skate accessories, rollerblades, apparel, and more at The Point Skate Shop. Watch free live music in the evening over dinner, or enjoy a delicious breakfast of Huevos Rancheros or the “World’s Best” Chicken-Fried Steak & Eggs at AllGood Cafe. Order unique pies like a Philly Pizza or BBQ Chick at Serious Pizza. Sink your teeth into a Chopped Brisket Sandwich, Southern Fried Chicken, and other Southern comfort foods at Pecan Lodge. Or split Hector’s Poutine for an appetizer, then enjoy the restaurant’s namesake, an Angry Dog, at Angry Dog.

Lakewood

Photo via @winstedatwhiterockapartments

Home Price: $819 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 56% of Dallas neighborhoods
Renter-Occupied Homes: 56%
Perfect For: Families, retirees

Bordered by White Rock Lake to the east, Lakewood is a safe and laid-back East Dallas neighborhood offering waterfront views and plenty of outdoor recreation, including a variety of hiking and biking trails. As for practical amenities, families renting in Dallas can feel confident sending their kids to local schools like Lakewood Elementary School and Lakehill Preparatory School. The neighborhood also offers a variety of things to do, with plenty of restaurants, annual events, and shops at places like the Arboretum Village Mall. Lakewood also has a wide range of apartment styles available, so all kinds of renters living in Dallas can find a home that fits their preferences.

Things to Do in Lakewood

Take your boat out on the water at White Rock Lake, hike the trails in the surrounding green space, or birdwatch from the designated Audubon Society area. Attend seasonal events, see beautiful fountains and flower collections, and marvel at 66 acres worth of gardens at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Get tickets to the Cool Thursdays Concert Series and enjoy live outdoor music throughout the year. See a wide array of cultures represented through performing and visual arts at the Bath House Cultural Center, where you can watch dance performances, see live music, and more. Enjoy a brunch of Berry Pancakes or Velvet Chicken and Waffle at Hudson House. Order homemade Italian classics like Lasagna or Penne Pasta for delivery from Uncle’s Family Kitchen. Savor authentic Mexican entrees like Tortas and Alambre at Tacos la Banqueta Puro DF. Or chow down on simple but tasty fare like a Pulled Pork Wrap or Rockin Chicken Sandwich at White Rock Alehouse & Brewery.

Oak Cliff

Photo via @proxyproperty

Home Price: $878 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 24% of Dallas neighborhoods
Renter-Occupied Homes: 56%
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

A hub for arts and culture and outdoor recreation, Oak Cliff is a great place to rent in Dallas! A major draw to Oak Cliff, the Bishop Arts District provides residents with more than 50 indie shops and restaurants ranging from low-key eateries to fine dining. Residents can also enjoy a variety of fun local events, like the Oak Cliff Film Festival and the Oak Cliff Farmers Market. Of course, that’s not the only reason why people love living in Oak Cliff—this popular Dallas neighborhood also has plenty of green space, including local parks like the Oak Cliff Nature Preserve. Oak Cliff is also known for the large number of public schools in the neighborhood, including John F. Peeler Elementary School, Stockard Junior High School, and South Oak Cliff High School. And with Dallas College’s Mountain View Campus in Oak Cliff, many college-aged kids call this area home, too.

Things to Do in Oak Cliff

Play a round of sand volleyball, go for a family walk, or have a cookout with friends at Kiest Park. Tee off at Stevens Park Golf Course and spend a day on the scenic green. Take a day trip to the Dallas Zoo to see animals from around the world, from gorillas to giraffes and more! See keynote speakers, live music, theatre, and other performances focusing on celebrating diversity at Bishop Arts Theatre Center. Savor authentic Mexican food like Enchiladas en Salsa Verde or Street Tacos with your choice of protein from Maskaras Mexican Grill. Chow down on classic American diner fare from Patty Melts to Chicken Fried Steak at Norma’s Cafe. Order Buffalo Mac, Croque Madame Benedict, and other rib-sticking food from Oddfellows. Or get plant-based cuisine like a Cauliflower Wings Country Plate or The Italian Stallion from Vegan Food House.

Oak Lawn

Photo via @kristengregoryrealtor

Home Price: $1,277 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 41% of Dallas neighborhoods
Renter-Occupied Homes: 72%
Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

Singles and young professionals living in Dallas will love the active, vibrant culture of Oak Lawn. The neighborhood is known for its great nightlife and for being one of the most LGBTQ -friendly neighborhoods in the country. Dotting the neighborhood are bars and entertainment venues ranging from dance clubs with recurring drag shows to chill cocktail bars. Other popular things to do in this thriving Dallas neighborhood include outdoor activities in spaces like Turtle Creek Park and Reverchon Park. Hiking and biking trails run throughout most of the neighborhood—even the more urban areas are pedestrian-friendly, too, with Oak Lawn being the second-most walkable neighborhood in Dallas.

Things to Do in Oak Lawn

Celebrate the LGBTQ community at Dallas Pride, featuring parades, drag entertainers, and more! Shop second-hand goods for a great cause at Genesis Benefit Thrift Store, which sends all proceeds to Genesis Women’s Shelter. Catch a drag show from well-established local performers or see blossoming new talent on Rising Star nights at The Rose Room. See massive dinosaur fossils, browse geological artifacts in the Gems and Minerals Hall, or learn about the expansion of the universe at Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Dance the night away to hot DJ sets or order bottle service from Mr. Misster, a popular local nightlife hub. Enjoy an upscale meal for date night at Al Biernat’s, which serves decadent plates like Spinalis Steak Frites and Texas Wagyu Long Bone Short Rib. Experience a modern twist on Thai cuisine when you order Bangkok Street Rice or Lemongrass Beef from Malai Kitchen. Try unique Japanese entrees like Sasami Yaki or Pork Belly at Uchi. Or have a lunch of Balsamic Glazed Salmon or Quiche Lorraine from la Madeleine.

Preston Hollow

Photo via @parkhollow

Home Price: $901 median monthly rent
Crime Rate: Safer than 32% of Dallas neighborhoods
Renter-Occupied Homes: 46%
Perfect For: Families, retirees

Quiet and picturesque, Preston Hollow is a peaceful place to live for renters in Dallas that still has countless things to do, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and more within its borders. However, if you’re looking for a change of scenery, W Northwest Hwy on the neighborhood’s southern border provides quick access to the rest of Dallas, and Downtown Dallas is only about ten miles away. Those moving to Preston Hollow can find rental opportunities in several apartments or single-family ranches and bungalows. Children in Preston Hollow can attend a range of high-quality Dallas schools like John J. Pershing Elementary School, Preston Hollow Elementary School, and the nearby Hillcrest High School.

Things to Do in Preston Hollow

Shop everything from haute couture to casual styles at The Plaza at Preston Center. Watch world-class pianists perform beautiful music through the Blue Candlelight Music Series. Bring your little ones to The Toy Maven and pick out toys you won’t find at big-box stores. Go for a family walk or bike ride on the trail at scenic Netherland Park. Grab an Apple Pancake or savor a buttery Dutch Baby from The Original Pancake House. Satisfy your Mexican food cravings with a Valentino Tex-Mex Platter or enjoy traditional regional fare like Milanesa from Fernando’s. Savor elegant chef specialties like Dong-Po Pork Belly or Crispy Red Snapper from Royal China. Or turn up the heat with a Jalapeño Fire Burger or Fresh Fish Sandwich with Spicy Tartar Sauce at The Mercury.

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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes