Texas cities have experienced a dramatic shift in their rental markets over the past decade, with seniors emerging as the fastest-growing demographic of renters. Dallas-Fort Worth alone now houses more than 78,000 renters aged 65 and older, representing a 66.5 percent increase since 2013.
The trend extends statewide, with new research from Point2Homes showing that Austin-Round Rock leads Texas with an 81.1 percent increase in senior renters from 2013 to 2023, while Houston saw a 60.3 percent jump during the same period. The data reflects a broader national pattern where Americans aged 65 and older added 2.4 million renters over the decade, the largest growth of any age group.
Austin-Round Rock ranked third nationally for senior renter growth, while Dallas-Fort Worth placed fifth among all U.S. metropolitan areas1. Houston ranked eighth nationally with 63,749 new senior renters, representing the fourth-highest numerical increase nationwide1.
The shift extends beyond apartments. In Dallas-Fort Worth, the number of seniors renting single-family homes more than doubled, with a 100.8 percent increase since 20131. This mirrors a national trend where house renters over 65 surged by 25 percent2.
San Antonio bucked the trend with a more modest 24 percent increase, adding 11,257 senior renters and ranking 62nd among the 75 largest U.S. metros1.
Housing experts point to multiple factors behind the surge. "A Harris Poll survey showed that the older crowd now has a lower threshold for interest rates when buying, meaning they're more sensitive to the financial burden of a mortgage," according to the Point2Homes analysis1.
The research identifies key motivators: downsizing from larger family homes, avoiding costs and upkeep tied to ownership, and prioritizing proximity to family or medical services1. Some seniors are following adult children, a trend researchers have dubbed "baby chasing"1.
The senior rental boom coincides with broader changes in Texas housing markets. The state's median home price reached $327,663 in early 2025, while inventory surged to levels not seen in nearly a decade12. Rising property taxes and home prices in Dallas and Austin may be prompting older homeowners to consider renting3.
"Omaha's affordability and senior-friendly rental options are attractive to retirees, while rising property taxes and home prices in Dallas and Austin may be prompting older homeowners to consider renting," the Point2Homes report concluded3.
