Quick Answer: Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett is a clear price ladder. Mesquite is cheapest, Garland sits second, Richardson third, and Rowlett costs the most. As of August 2026, average apartment rents run from about $1,246 in Mesquite to $1,763 in Rowlett, with Garland near $1,417.
Choosing between Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett mostly comes down to what your rent buys. These four Dallas suburbs sit close together, yet their apartment prices are far apart. Hickory Apartments is a Garland community, so here are the latest numbers for all four cities side by side.
What to Look For in a Rent Comparison
A fair rent comparison uses the same source, the same property type, and the same month for every city. Averages that blend in single-family houses run much higher than apartment-only figures. Below, apartment rents come from one dataset, and official Census Bureau figures act as the long-term anchor.
Published averages vary by provider. Trulia's May 2026 city averages put all four places near or above $2,000 a month, partly because houses count. RentCafe tracks apartment buildings with 50 or more units and lands under $1,800 for every city. Neither is wrong. They measure different things.
Keep three habits in mind when you read any Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett rent comparison. Check the date. Check whether houses are mixed in. Check how many units sit behind the average. Rents across these cities have barely moved lately: Richardson slipped 1.69 percent in a year, per RentCafe. So when two sites disagree by a few hundred dollars, the method is usually the reason, not a market swing.
Which Dallas Suburbs Have the Cheapest Apartments?
Mesquite has the cheapest apartments of the four. RentCafe's August 2026 data shows an average apartment rent of $1,246 there. Garland follows at $1,417, Richardson averages $1,684, and Rowlett reaches $1,763, which makes Rowlett about 41 percent pricier than Mesquite.
| City | Census median gross rent (2019 to 2023) | Average apartment rent (RentCafe, August 2026) | Typical 1-bedroom (Rentometer, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquite | $1,407 | $1,246 | $1,086 |
| Garland | $1,525 | $1,417 | $1,280 |
| Richardson | $1,825 | $1,684 | $1,530 |
| Rowlett | $1,964 | $1,763 | $1,423 |
| Rowlett minus Mesquite | $557 | $517 | $337 |
One caution on the last column: Rentometer's latest snapshots are dated differently by city, from February 2026 for Richardson to August 2026 for Mesquite and Rowlett. Treat it as a rough guide to unit size, not a same-day price check.
The gap grows at the extremes. Move from Mesquite to Rowlett and a typical apartment costs $517 more each month, or $6,204 over a year. Choosing Garland over Richardson saves $267 a month, or $3,204 a year. For many households, that difference decides the move.
Mesquite Apartments: The Lowest Rents of the Four
Mesquite wins on price, and it is the strongest area for cheap apartments. The Census Bureau puts its median gross rent at $1,407 and its median household income at $71,843, both the lowest in this group, according to Census Bureau QuickFacts for Mesquite and Garland. RentCafe lists the average rental building there at 39 years old, with only 16 percent built since 2000. Older stock usually rents for less than new construction. Rentometer's August 2026 snapshot lists a typical Mesquite one-bedroom at $1,086, the lowest in this group. If budget is your main filter, start here, and tour older buildings in person.
Garland Apartments: The Middle of the Pack
Garland is the largest of the four, with 246,018 residents in the 2020 Census. Its median gross rent is $1,525 and its median household income is $74,717. RentCafe puts the typical Garland rental building at 33 years old, with 30 percent built since 2000. That mix helps explain a price $171 above Mesquite but $267 below Richardson. Point2Homes, drawing on Yardi Matrix data, shows 27 percent of Garland's apartment rentals date to the 1970s, the largest share of any decade. Buildings vary in age, so rents vary by building. To see what a Garland home costs today, browse the Hickory floor plans.
Are Richardson and Rowlett Worth the Higher Cost of Living?
In the Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett lineup, Richardson and Rowlett cost more partly because their households earn more. Census figures show a median household income of $96,257 in Richardson and $113,600 in Rowlett, against $74,717 in Garland and $71,843 in Mesquite. A higher rent does not always mean a heavier burden.
Run the math with Census medians. Annual median gross rent divided by median household income gives roughly 24.5 percent in Garland, 23.5 percent in Mesquite, 22.8 percent in Richardson, and 20.7 percent in Rowlett. It's only a yardstick, since the income figure covers every household, not just renters.
Richardson Apartments: Higher Rent, Bigger Paychecks
Richardson averages $1,684 for an apartment, down 1.69 percent from $1,713 a year earlier, per RentCafe's August 2026 update. Apartment List's July 2026 report shows a median rent of $1,620 and a 2.6 percent drop over 12 months. Almost half of Richardson households rent, based on the same RentCafe page. The Census Bureau's Richardson profile lists median gross rent at $1,825. RentCafe reports that 41 percent of Richardson rentals fall between $1,501 and $2,000 a month. Apartment List puts the Dallas metro median at $1,416, which leaves Richardson's $1,620 median 14.4 percent higher.
Rowlett Apartments: Newer Buildings, Highest Rent
Rowlett charges the most, and the buildings are the reason to pay attention. RentCafe's Rowlett page, dated September 2025, put the average rental building at 8 years old, with 98 percent completed since 2000. The Census Bureau's Rowlett QuickFacts table shows a median gross rent of $1,964. Newer construction commands a premium. Point2Homes, again citing Yardi Matrix, reports that 45 percent of Rowlett's apartment units went up between 2010 and 2019. That recent building boom helps explain the price: you are renting newer homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Garland cheaper than Mesquite?
No. Mesquite is cheaper on every measure here. Its average apartment rent is $1,246 against $1,417 in Garland, per RentCafe in August 2026, and its Census median gross rent is $1,407 against $1,525. Garland's premium is about $171 a month on the apartment average.
2. Which costs more, Richardson or Rowlett?
Rowlett costs more. Its average apartment rent is $1,763 against $1,684 in Richardson, a gap of $79, and its Census median gross rent is $1,964 against $1,825. Rowlett's newer buildings and higher household incomes both play a part in that difference.
3. How much is a two-bedroom in each city?
Rentometer's 2026 snapshots put typical two-bedroom rents at about $1,459 in Mesquite, $1,715 in Garland, $1,878 in Rowlett, and $2,055 in Richardson. Unit size, building age, and snapshot dates differ, so confirm current pricing with each community before you decide.
4. Why do rent numbers differ between websites?
Each site counts different homes. Some include single-family houses and townhomes, which rent for more. Others track only larger apartment buildings. Dates differ too. A fair Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett comparison needs one apartment dataset plus Census figures, which is why this article leans on both.
5. How do I find affordable apartments in Garland?
Start with a short checklist before you apply:
- Compare floor plan sizes and monthly rents side by side.
- Ask which fees come on top of base rent.
- Look through the Hickory photo gallery before you tour.
- Test your commute at rush hour.
Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett: The Bottom Line
In the Garland vs. Richardson vs. Mesquite vs. Rowlett rent comparison, Mesquite is the budget pick, Rowlett is the premium pick, and Richardson sits just below it. Garland offers the middle ground, with apartment rents $267 under Richardson and $171 over Mesquite. If Garland fits your plans, start your Hickory Apartments application today.
