Tyler Apartments and Rentals

The city of Tyler, Texas, strikes the perfect balance between big-city life and small-town charm. Located 90 miles east of Dallas, the municipality functions as the educational, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail hub of East Texas. Those interested in Tyler apartments for rent may also be attracted to its lower than average cost of living.

Tyler is the seat of Smith County, one of the counties created by the first Texas Legislature in 1846. The city was chosen for the honor because of its central hilltop location and was named after President John Tyler, who was instrumental in getting Texas admitted to the United States. After it was founded, Tyler grew quickly, and was home to more than 1,000 residents by 1860. The construction of the Tyler Tap Railroad in 1877 served as the catalyst for further growth and the city continued to expand. In 1882, a public school system was established, and by 1900, the county was home to more than one million fruit trees. Ironically, it wasn't until disease decimated the area's fruit industry that local farmers turned to growing roses. The rose industry took off, and by the 1940s, more than half of the entire country's supply of rose bushes was grown within 10 miles of the city.

Residents also found prosperity in oil. When the East Texas oilfield was discovered in the 1930s, more people flocked to the area, and the city's population hit 28,279 residents by 1940. In 2010, the 53.86-square-mile municipality was home to 96,900 people, and by the following year, this was estimated to have risen to 98,564, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Tyler Independent School District (ISD) is the largest of its kind in Northeast Texas. It encompasses 193 square miles, serves approximately 18,600 students and is comprised of 17 elementary schools, six middle schools, two high schools, two alternative schools and one special education campus. The area is also home to several institutes of further education, including the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Texas College. UT Tyler, which is part of the University of Texas System, offers 47 undergraduate bachelor's degrees and a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1. Its top majors include finance, psychology, management and history.

Tyler ISD and UT Texas are two of Smith County's largest employers, along with Wal-Mart, the Brookshire Grocery Company, East Texas Medical Center and the county and city governments.

According to City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index, those in the market for apartments in Tyler may be pleasantly surprised by the area's low cost of living and median gross rent. Specifically, the city scored an 85.8 on the index - less than the national average of 100 - and its median gross rent is $784.

Roses are a big part of Tyler's heritage, and they are celebrated at the Texas Rose Festival every fall. The festival features ceremonial events such as the Queen's Tea and the Rose Parade, and has been held every year since 1933, with the exception of the World War II years.

In the spring, the Azalea Trail bursts with miles of brightly colored flowers, and the summer is the perfect time to explore the woodlands and lakes located just a short distance from the city. If sports are more your thing, you're in luck, as Tyler is home to 66 tennis courts, 26 baseball fields, 15 soccer fields and nine golf courses. Shoppers and foodies shouldn't feel left out either, as there are too many restaurants and stores to count - including an entire mall dedicated to antiques.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Tyler, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.