A recent study by Rent Cafe determined that larger living spaces are making a comeback. In 2023, the average size of new apartments in the U.S. grew significantly, reaching 916 square feet after a sharp decline the previous year.
New apartments in Dallas are larger than they were a decade ago, and the units currently under construction are expected to be even more spacious. While Dallas may not boast the largest apartments in Texas, it certainly offers more room than the more confined living spaces found in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
New apartments built between 2014 and 2023 are 57 square feet larger than those from a decade ago, now averaging 894 square feet. Units currently under construction are projected to average 897 square feet. Although this growth is modest, it does confirm an upward trend in apartment sizes.
Build-to-rent (BTR) homes provide even more space, averaging 1,333 square feet, making Dallas the 16th city in the country for the largest BTR homes. But the average size of a new BTR unit in Grand Prairie is 910 square feet, which falls more than 500 square feet below the national average. Nearby, Fort Worth fares slightly better with its compact rental homes averaging 970 square feet.
This increase is primarily due to the introduction of more spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments, as developers responded to renters' demand for more room. This recent growth trend stands in stark contrast to 2022, when the average apartment size dropped sharply due to an unprecedented surge in the construction of smaller units.
Across the nation, the average size of new apartments increased by 27 square feet in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 916 square feet. This growth is largely due to the introduction of more two- and three-bedroom rentals in 2023, among other factors. Gainesville leads the list for the largest apartments, while Seattle has the most compact units in the country.
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