DALLAS — Renters in North Texas may have more choices as apartment competition and rental concessions give prospective tenants additional flexibility, while prices vary across major Texas cities.

Karen Forsythe, an apartment locator with Forsythe Realty Group who has spent nearly 30 years helping people find housing in Dallas, said the rental market remains active.

“The rental market, in my opinion, has always been extremely active. I don’t think we have gone through a slowdown period,” Forsythe said.

Forsythe said renters have plenty of apartments to consider as properties compete for tenants.

“There’s lots of apartments on the market, and those apartments are basically fighting for the business,” Forsythe said.

That competition is reflected in rental data. Property management company Doorstead reported that the median rent across property types in the Dallas-Fort Worth area fell nearly 2% in September 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier.

Forsythe said the growing apartment supply has also led to more incentives for renters.

“There’s more apartments built every day. So, obviously there’s more rental concessions and specials for your renters,” Forsythe said.

For some renters, the decision to move is about more than the monthly cost. Rhonda Lawson, a Dallas-Fort Worth resident, recently traded a rental house for a two-bedroom apartment, citing the upkeep required by her previous home.

“It was just a lot to maintain. The yard, the house, the rooms, the bathroom, things breaking down, me having to pay for it to fix it,” Lawson said.

Despite the change in housing, Lawson said her rent has remained about the same.

“Rental house, the rental apartment, it’s pretty much been around the same. Around $2,000 or so,” Lawson said.

The move has reduced her responsibilities, she said, giving her more time to focus on other priorities.

“It’s just less responsibility for me. I can focus on the things I need to focus on,” Lawson said.

Rental trends differ across Texas. Zumper’s October report found that asking rents for one-bedroom apartments fell nearly 9% in San Antonio and about 2% in Houston, while Austin rents rose nearly 3%.

Forsythe said renting can offer flexibility for people who are not ready to commit to homeownership for several years.

“When you buy a home, you’ve got a plan on being there for several years, and I just think renting gives you so many more options,” Forsythe said.

For renters considering a move, Forsythe recommends asking about available concessions and other incentives before signing a lease.