Quick Answer: A 1-bedroom vs. 2-bedroom apartment decision in Garland, TX usually comes down to about $300 a month. Rent.com's 2026 data puts the average Garland 1-bedroom at $1,265 and the average 2-bedroom at $1,561. Choose the 1-bedroom to save money, and the 2-bedroom for roommates, kids, guests, or a dedicated home office.
Renters weighing a 1-bedroom vs. 2-bedroom apartment in Garland, TX face a real tradeoff: close to $300 in monthly savings on one side, hundreds of extra square feet on the other. Hickory Apartments serves renters across Garland and the surrounding Dallas County suburbs, and you can compare our one and two bedroom floor plans side by side before you ever schedule a tour. This guide breaks down 2026 rent data, square footage, and lifestyle fit so the choice feels obvious by the end.
What to Look For in Apartments in Garland, TX: One Bedroom or Two?
Focus on four things: the monthly rent gap, total square footage, how many people (and pets) will live there, and whether you need a second room for work or guests. In Garland, the rent gap between the two layouts runs about $296 a month, which adds up to roughly $3,550 a year.
Square footage matters just as much as price. RentCafe reports that the average two-bedroom in Garland measures about 1,008 square feet, enough for a full dining setup, a desk, and real storage. A typical one-bedroom trades that room for a lower payment and cheaper utilities.
Demand tells its own story. Point2Homes data shows two-bedroom units hold the largest share of Garland's rental market at 36%, largely because roommates can split one into two affordable private bedrooms. Renters occupy 38% of all housing in the city, so both layouts move fast when they're priced right. Communities like Hickory Apartments in Garland keep both on the market for exactly that reason.
Most of the market clusters in the middle, too. Point2Homes reports that 61% of Garland rentals price between $1,000 and $1,500 a month, exactly where one-bedrooms and entry-level two-bedrooms overlap. A well-timed two-bedroom deal can land inside a one-bedroom budget.
One caveat worth knowing. Published averages vary by provider, and citywide numbers barely moved this past year: RentCafe tracked a 0.5% dip in Garland's overall average while Zumper logged a 2% rise. Plan around flat rents rather than steep hikes.
How Much More Does a 2-Bedroom Cost Among Garland, TX Apartment Rentals?
Expect to pay $296 to $384 more per month for a second bedroom, depending on whose numbers you use. Rent.com's 2026 figures show $1,265 for a one-bedroom against $1,561 for a two-bedroom. Rentometer's February 20, 2026 snapshot runs higher on both, at $1,312 and $1,696.
Either way, Garland stays a bargain by national standards. Apartments.com pegs the city's average rent around 22% below the national figure, and Zumper's February 2026 median of $1,650 lands 13% under the U.S. median. Cheaper than Dallas proper, too, without giving up the metro.
| Cost Factor | 1-Bedroom | 2-Bedroom |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent (Rent.com, 2026) | $1,265 | $1,561 |
| Average rent (Rentometer, Feb 2026) | $1,312 | $1,696 |
| Annual rent at Rent.com average | $15,180 | $18,732 |
| Share of Garland's $76,320 median household income | About 20% | About 25% |
| Best for | Solo renters and couples on a budget | Roommates, families, and remote workers |
Splitting changes the math entirely. Two roommates in a $1,561 two-bedroom pay about $780 each, roughly $485 less per person than renting one-bedrooms separately. That per-person discount is the single biggest reason two-bedrooms dominate garland tx apartment rentals.
Which Garland, TX Apartments for Rent Fit Your Lifestyle?
Match the floor plan to how you actually live, not how you might live someday. Solo renters who work on site, travel often, or want the lowest fixed costs do best in a one-bedroom. Households with kids, pets, frequent guests, or a permanent work-from-home setup almost always outgrow one within a year.
Cheap Apartments in Garland, TX: When a 1-Bedroom Wins
Renters hunting for cheap apartments in Garland, TX should start with one-bedrooms, full stop. The $1,265 average sits about 20% of the city's median household income, comfortably under the 30% affordability guideline. You'll also save on electricity, since there's simply less space to cool through a North Texas summer. Furnishing costs drop too.
Where you look matters as much as what you look for. Apartments.com ranks Sutton Place and Downtown Garland among the city's most affordable areas, and buildings from the 1970s, which make up 27% of Garland's rental stock per Point2Homes, often list below the citywide average.
The tradeoff? Storage. If your hobby gear, holiday decorations, or bike collection needs its own closet, a one-bedroom will feel tight fast.
Luxury Apartments in Garland, TX: When Two Bedrooms Pay Off
Renters comparing luxury apartments in Garland, TX tend to favor two-bedroom layouts because the second room flexes into whatever the season demands: nursery, office, gym, or guest suite. At roughly 1,008 square feet, the extra room changes how the whole home functions. Browse the photo gallery and virtual tour to see how each layout lives day to day.
Among all the apartments Garland renters lease, two-bedrooms also hold resale-style value: they're easier to share, easier to sublet where permitted, and less likely to force a mid-lease move when life changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a 2-bedroom apartment worth the extra cost in Garland?
Yes, in three common situations:
- You split rent with a roommate and cut your share to about $780
- You work from home and need a real office, not a couch
- You have a child, a pet, or regular overnight guests
- You're storing furniture or gear a one-bedroom can't hold
2. Are apts in Garland cheaper than the national average?
Yes. Apartments.com data shows average rents for apts in Garland run about 22% below the national average, and Zumper's February 2026 median of $1,650 sits 13% under the U.S. figure. The U.S. Census Bureau counts more than 246,000 residents here, yet rents stay well below nearby Dallas.
3. Should I choose pet friendly houses for rent in Garland or a pet friendly apartment?
Pet friendly houses for rent in Garland typically cost more than a two-bedroom apartment and put yard care, higher utilities, and longer commutes on you. A pet-friendly two-bedroom apartment delivers similar space for less money, with maintenance handled by the community. Confirm each property's pet policy, breed rules, and deposits before applying.
4. How much income do I need for apartments near Garland, TX?
Using the standard 30% rule, apartments near Garland, TX at the $1,265 one-bedroom average call for about $50,600 a year, while the $1,561 two-bedroom average calls for roughly $62,400. Garland's median household income of $76,320, per U.S. Census figures, covers either layout for the typical household.
5. Do utilities cost more in a 2-bedroom apartment?
Usually, yes. A two-bedroom in Garland averages about 1,008 square feet per RentCafe, so there's more space to cool during triple-digit Texas summers and more rooms to light year round. Budget an extra $40 to $80 monthly for electricity compared with a one-bedroom, though split between roommates it often nets out cheaper per person.
Conclusion
The 1-bedroom vs. 2-bedroom apartment question in Garland, TX really asks what the next two years of your life look like. Pick the one-bedroom if low fixed costs matter most; pick the two-bedroom if people, pets, or a home office are in the picture. Both cost far less here than across most of the metro, backed by U.S. Census Bureau data on Garland showing a city that stays affordable as it grows. When you're ready to see both layouts in person, grab the map and directions to Hickory Apartments and come compare them on the same visit.
