North Texas keeps growing faster than anywhere else in the country. The region adds roughly 100,000 residents a year, ranking first nationally (U.S. Census via Marcus & Millichap, March 2026). A big share of those newcomers arrive on job transfers into finance, tech, healthcare and defense roles. This post looks at what that growth means for renters of Dallas high rise apartments in 2026. For the step-by-step moving process, see our evergreen Dallas relocation guide.
Who’s Moving, and Where They Work
The transferees we work with in 2026 cluster around a few employer hubs:
- Legacy West, Plano, home to Toyota North America, Liberty Mutual and JPMorgan Chase
- Downtown Dallas, including the AT&T headquarters and the AT&T Discovery District
- Frisco, around The Star, Hall Park and Frisco Station
- The Southwestern Medical District and Baylor University Medical Center for healthcare roles
- Las Colinas and North Dallas office parks
Finance, tech, healthcare and defense transfers drive most of the corporate demand we see for high rises.
What Growth Means for High Rise Availability
Population growth pushes demand up. At the same time, new supply is shrinking: DFW deliveries are expected to fall to about 21,000 units in 2026 from more than 44,000 in 2024 (Marcus & Millichap). Net absorption ran 28,600 units over the trailing year, up 10% (CoStar, Q2 2026), and DFW vacancy sat at 6.6%, forecast to fall about 40 basis points by year end (Marcus & Millichap, Q2 2026).
In plain terms: renters have leverage right now, and it’s likely to fade. Concessions of 4–8 weeks free are typical today. As vacancy tightens and fewer towers open, expect those offers to narrow.
What this means for transferees
If your move is set for the next six months, sign while concessions are strong, and consider a 13- to 15-month lease to push your renewal into a slower season.
Corridors Transferees Are Choosing
| Employer hub | Corridor most transferees choose | Example towers |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy West | Legacy West, or Uptown for walkability | The Kincaid at Legacy, LVL29 |
| Frisco | Frisco | Twelve Cowboys Way, The Monarch Hall Park |
| Downtown, AT&T | Downtown or Uptown | The Sinclair, Atelier Tower, The Victor |
| Medical District | Design District | Dallas Urby, 1400 HiLine |
Uptown remains the default for transferees who don’t yet know the city, because almost every commute is manageable from there and it has a Walk Score of 89. Our guide on commuting from Dallas high rises to employer hubs compares each option.
How Transferees Are Leasing in 2026
The biggest shift we’ve seen is remote leasing. Many transferees now sign before arriving, using live video tours of the actual unit and offer letters as income proof. Others bridge with 60–90 days of furnished housing, then sign a 12-month lease once they know Dallas. Both work well in today’s market, when buildings have units to fill and are flexible on terms.
The 2026 Market in Numbers
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| North Texas population growth | ~100,000 residents a year, #1 nationally | U.S. Census via Marcus & Millichap, March 2026 |
| DFW vacancy | 6.6%, forecast down about 40 bps by year end | Marcus & Millichap, Q2 2026 |
| Net absorption | 28,600 units, +10% YoY | CoStar, Q2 2026 |
| 2026 deliveries | ~21,000 units, down from 44,000+ in 2024 | Marcus & Millichap |
| Projected rent growth | 1.8% | Marcus & Millichap |
| Average Dallas 1-bedroom | ~$1,430 a month | RentHop, October 2026 |
What Transferees Should Do Differently in 2026
- Move early in your window. Concessions are strong now and likely to narrow.
- Pick the corridor before the building. Commute patterns vary widely across Dallas.
- Use remote leasing tools. Live video tours of the actual unit make signing before arrival practical.
- Ask HR about housing support. Allowances and lump sums change which option is cheapest.
- Budget the all-in cost. Parking, pets and utilities add up in high rises.
Where High Rise Demand Is Strongest
Transferee demand is heaviest in Uptown and Downtown, and around Legacy West. That’s also where we expect concessions to tighten first if vacancy falls as forecast. The Design District and some suburban towers may keep stronger offers longer, which makes them worth a look for value-focused relocators. Our Dallas relocation guide covers the full step-by-step process.
Looking Ahead
We’ll keep watching three numbers: vacancy, deliveries and concessions. If vacancy continues to fall as forecast, expect concessions to shrink first in Uptown and Downtown, where demand from transferees is heaviest.
Moving to Dallas for work? Our corporate housing and relocation service maps your commute and shortlists 3–5 high rises near your employer, free to renters.
Written by
Dallas High Rise Apartments Locating Team
Licensed Apartment Locators, Spirit Real Estate Group
The Dallas High Rise Apartments team tracks all 76 high rise communities across Uptown, Downtown, Knox-Henderson, the Design District, Deep Ellum and the northern suburbs, placing renters through Spirit Real Estate Group (TREC #562021).
Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) licensed brokerage #562021
