Quick Answer: The cost to rent an apartment in Garland, TX in 2026 averages roughly $1,280 to $1,425 a month across all sizes. Studios run about $980 to $1,170, one-bedroom apartments sit near $1,240 to $1,275, and two-bedroom units average $1,540 to $1,590. Rents here stay well below the national average.
Serving renters across Garland and the wider Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, this guide lays out the real cost to rent an apartment in Garland, TX in 2026. Communities like Hickory Apartments sit inside this market, with pricing that lands well below the national average.
What Does It Cost to Rent an Apartment in Garland, TX?
The cost to rent an apartment in Garland, TX in 2026 sits between roughly $1,280 and $1,425 a month on average, depending on which market tracker you check. That range covers every unit size, from compact studios to three-bedroom layouts, and it lands noticeably below the national figure.
Garland is the third-largest city in Dallas County. About 38% of its households rent rather than own, and most of those renters pay somewhere in the $1,001 to $1,500 band, which covers close to 58% of the local market.
For an official baseline, the U.S. Census Bureau reports a median gross rent near $1,641 for Garland, a number that bundles in utilities and runs higher than advertised base rents. You can confirm the latest local housing figures through Census QuickFacts for Garland.
How affordable is that in practice? Garland renter households earn a median income around $54,000, and the typical renter here spends close to 36% of income on housing, a bit above the 30% mark many budgeting guides suggest. Even so, Apartment List's 2026 renter survey handed Garland an A-plus for affordability, and monthly rents run well under neighboring Addison or Plano.
How Much Are Apartments for Rent in Garland, TX Right Now?
So what's the real cost to rent an apartment in Garland, TX today? Apartments for rent in Garland, TX averaged about $1,282 in the July 2026 Apartment List report, down roughly 3.7% from a year earlier. RentCafe's February 2026 read landed a touch higher at $1,423, using data from Yardi Matrix. The gap between trackers is normal. Each one samples a different slice of listings, so treat the numbers as a range, not a single sticker price. Both point the same way: Garland rents have flattened or eased over the past year.
Prices split cleanly by bedroom count. Here's how the main unit types compared in early-to-mid 2026.
| Unit Type | Typical Size | Average Monthly Rent (2026) | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 460 to 500 sq ft | $980 to $1,170 | Solo renters on a tight budget |
| One-bedroom | 700 to 720 sq ft | $1,240 to $1,275 | Singles and couples |
| Two-bedroom | About 1,010 sq ft | $1,540 to $1,590 | Roommates and small families |
| Three-bedroom | 1,270 sq ft and up | $1,900 to $1,970 | Larger households |
Keep in mind that federal benchmarks read higher than listing-site averages. HUD's Fair Market Rent for the Dallas metro area, which Garland sits inside, estimates the 40th-percentile gross rent with utilities and is used to set housing-voucher payments, not asking prices. Renters can look those up through HUD's Fair Market Rent data.
Studio Apts and Efficiencies in Garland
Studio apts in Garland are the budget entry point. Average rents ran from about $982 in RentCafe's data to roughly $1,168 on Rent.com, with a typical studio offering around 460 to 500 square feet. Inventory is thin. On some listing sites only a handful of studios show as available at any given time, so if you want to rent a studio in Garland, move fast when one posts. Efficiency units and older garden-style buildings tend to carry the lowest studio rates in the city.
One and Two-Bedroom Garland Apartments
One-bedroom Garland apartments are the sweet spot for most solo renters and couples. Expect roughly $1,240 to $1,275 a month for about 700 to 720 square feet. Two-bedroom units, popular with roommates and small families, average closer to $1,540 to $1,590 for just over 1,000 square feet. Two-bedroom floor plans make up the largest share of the city's rental stock, around 36% of all units. If you want to check live pricing against these averages, you can compare current floor plans at Hickory Apartments before you tour. Three-bedroom apartments push toward $1,900 to $1,970.
What Drives the Price of Apartments in Garland, TX?
The price of apartments in Garland, TX depends on far more than bedroom count. Where you live inside the city, the age of the building, on-site amenities, and how utilities are billed all move the final number. Two identical floor plans can differ by hundreds of dollars based on ZIP code alone.
Here are the biggest levers on your monthly rent:
- Neighborhood: budget pockets like Park Groves and East Garland run near $875 to $1,000 for a one-bedroom, while Northeast Garland climbs past $1,600 and the priciest areas, such as Villages of Valley Creek, approach $2,000.
- Building age: about 27% of local apartment stock was built between 1970 and 1979, and that older inventory keeps average rents down.
- Amenities: in-unit laundry, a pool, granite counters, and covered parking each add to the base rate.
- Utilities: Garland Power and Light service, water, and trash may be bundled or billed separately, which changes your true monthly cost.
How Location, Age, and Amenities Shape Garland Texas Apartments
Garland Texas apartments closest to shopping, dining, and transit tend to charge a premium. Communities near Firewheel Town Center or within reach of the two DART Blue Line stations that connect to downtown Dallas usually sit above the citywide average. Newer builds with resort-style pools and modern finishes command the top rents, while 1980s garden complexes offer the best value per square foot. Garland also counts more than 2,880 acres of public parks across 63 sites, which helps support rents in its greener neighborhoods. Want a feel for what a specific community actually includes? Browsing the photo gallery and community tour is a faster way to judge value than price alone.
Studios vs 1 Bedroom Houses for Rent in Garland
Comparing studios with 1 bedroom houses for rent in Garland surprises a lot of renters. A single-family rental house almost always costs more than a comparable apartment, because you get a yard, a private entry, no shared walls, and often a garage. True one-bedroom rental houses are rare here. Most rental houses in Garland carry two or more bedrooms, which pushes their median rent well above apartment averages, often past $1,900. If your budget is tight, renting studios in Garland or leasing a one-bedroom apartment stretches your dollar further than a house. Planning a commute first? Check the map and directions before you sign anywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does it cost to rent an apt in Garland, TX each month?
As of 2026, a typical apt in Garland, TX runs about $1,280 to $1,425 a month across all sizes. Studios start near $982, one-bedrooms average around $1,245, and two-bedrooms sit close to $1,545. Your final rate depends on neighborhood, building age, and the amenities included.
2. Is it cheaper to rent in Garland than in Dallas?
Yes. Garland's average apartment rent, around $1,280 to $1,425, runs below the city of Dallas, where renters typically pay more each month. Apartment List's 2026 survey scored Garland an A-plus for affordability, ahead of Dallas, and citywide rents sit roughly 22% under the national average.
3. Which Garland neighborhoods have the cheapest rent?
Park Groves is one of Garland's most affordable pockets, with one-bedrooms near $875 a month. Other budget-friendly areas include:
- East Garland, around $998
- Meadowcreek, close to $1,007
- Broadway, roughly $1,010
- The Trails, about $1,041
All of these sit well under the $1,265 citywide one-bedroom average.
4. How much should I earn to afford an apartment in Garland?
A common rule is to keep rent near 30% of gross income. For Garland's typical one-bedroom around $1,245, that points to roughly $50,000 a year, or about $4,150 a month before taxes. A two-bedroom near $1,545 suggests closer to $62,000 annually.
5. What if market rent in Garland is more than I can afford?
The Garland Housing Agency runs the federal Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps income-qualified families cover part of their rent in apartments, town homes, and single-family rentals. Details and income limits are posted through the City of Garland housing resources. Waiting lists apply, so plan ahead.
Conclusion
Knowing the cost to rent an apartment in Garland, TX puts you in a stronger spot before you ever tour a unit. Budget around $1,280 to $1,425 for a typical apartment, lean on a studio or one-bedroom if you want to save, and remember that neighborhood and amenities swing the price more than almost anything else. Garland keeps rents below the national average while offering DART access and easy reach across Dallas-Fort Worth. Match your budget to real listings first, then tour only the ones that genuinely fit.
