Best Walkable Neighborhoods in Dallas, TX

Yes, Dallas has walkable neighborhoods, and seven make our list of the best. They each have walk scores of over 75, making them places where you can live without relying on a car for every trip. Uptown leads the list with a stellar walk score of 96, thanks to its dense grid of shops, restaurants, parks, and quick access to the Katy Trail and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART).

While getting around most Dallas neighborhoods still requires a car, these standouts offer a rare mix of foot-friendly streets, reliable transit connections, and bikeable infrastructure. From the lively sidewalks of Deep Ellum to the boutique-lined blocks of Knox-Henderson, here are the most walkable neighborhoods in Dallas, ranked by both data and lived experience.

We used internal data and cross-referenced with neighborhood data from Rent.com and ApartmentHomeLiving.com to give you the most accurate snapshot of rents across Dallas as of August 2025. Walk score, transit score, and bike score data come from WalkScore.com.

Best Walkable Neighborhoods in Dallas, TX

• Most walkable overall: Uptown \ Walk score 96, unmatched pedestrian grid with shops, dining, and Katy Trail access.
• Best for urban professionals: Downtown Dallas \ High-rise living, DART light rail, and skybridge access at the city’s core.
• Best cultural hot spot: Deep Ellum \ Murals, live music, breweries, and a strong 76 walk score just east of Downtown.
• Best for nightlife and dining: Oak Lawn \ Walk score 85, thriving LGBTQ+ nightlife, brunch spots, and easy Katy Trail access.
• Best trendy alternative: Knox-Henderson \ Walk score 87, boutique shopping and a social restaurant strip.
• Best for arts and community vibe: Bishop Arts District \ Walk score 92, independent shops, streetcar access, and historic charm.
• Most underrated: Glencoe Park \ Walk score 80, leafy residential feel with quick access to Southern Methodist University (SMU), Mockingbird Station, and local parks.

Most Walkable Neighborhoods in Dallas

Is Dallas Walkable?

Yes, overall, Dallas is considered a car-dependent city, with an average walk score of 46 out of 100. This means most errands require driving, and the majority of residents own cars for commuting. However, this one average doesn’t tell the full story.

Neighborhoods like Uptown, Downtown, and the Bishop Arts District score above 90, offering a completely different experience for renters who want to live car-free. In these pockets, residents walk to work, dine out without driving, and take advantage of the city’s best bike trails. You can even reduce your cost of living by choosing the most walkable neighborhoods in Dallas.

As one Dallas local put it on Reddit: “If you live in Uptown, Downtown, or Bishop Arts, you can walk most places and use transit to easily reach other walkable neighborhoods. Ramble elsewhere, and you'll likely need a car.”

Is Dallas a Bike-Friendly City?

Some of Dallas’ neighborhoods are bike-friendly, with bike scores in the 70s, but safe cycling infrastructure is still uneven across the city.

• Best for biking: Deep Ellum and Oak Lawn (bike scores in the mid-70s, plus connections to the Katy Trail).
• Emerging infrastructure: Downtown is adding protected lanes and trails that connect to Uptown and Knox-Henderson.
• Challenges: In much of suburban Dallas, bike lanes are rare, and traffic-heavy roads make cycling risky.

Dallas is slowly improving its biking infrastructure. The Katy Trail runs 3.5 miles from Victory Park through Uptown to Knox-Henderson, serving as the city’s most popular car-free bike route. City-led projects like the Trinity Forest Spine Trail and Loop Dallas aim to expand off-street biking and walking access.

Is Dallas Car-Dependent?

Yes. Like most major Texas cities, Dallas is built around cars, and more than 80% of residents commute by driving. The city’s size, wide highways, and limited transit coverage outside the core neighborhoods make car ownership the norm.

• Dallas’ overall walk score: 46 (car-dependent).
• Commute data: Roughly 3% of residents use public transit, while the vast majority drive to work.
• Traffic: Dallas consistently ranks among the most congested metros in Texas, with drivers spending dozens of hours per year stuck in traffic.

However, if you live in the walkable core—in Downtown, Uptown, or Bishop Arts—you can comfortably get by with fewer car trips. DART light rail and bus routes connect many central neighborhoods, and walkable amenities reduce the need to drive for errands.

What Are Dallas’ Most Walkable Neighborhoods?

While Dallas as a whole isn’t known for walkability, several neighborhoods stand out with dense amenities, reliable transit, and lively pedestrian culture. Uptown offers the highest overall walkability, Downtown provides unmatched transit access, Oak Lawn and Deep Ellum blend nightlife with car-free convenience, and Bishop Arts delivers a one-of-a-kind community feel.

For renters who want to ditch the car keys, these are the neighborhoods where Dallas’ walkability shines.

Uptown

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,402
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,590
• Walk score (along McKinney Ave): 96
• Transit score: 67
• Bike score: 82
• Map of Uptown Dallas

Uptown is Dallas’ premier walkable neighborhood, with a walk score of 96, transit score of 67, and bike score of 82. Renters can stroll to shops, bars, and restaurants along McKinney Avenue and the West Village or jog and bike along the scenic Katy Trail.

Public transit access includes the free McKinney Avenue trolley and nearby DART stations. While rents are among the highest in Dallas, Uptown offers unmatched walkability combined with luxury apartments, nightlife, and quick commutes to Downtown.

Check out our listings in Uptown Dallas.

Downtown Dallas

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,276
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,698
• Walk score: 92
• Transit score: 85
• Bike score: 75
• Map of Downtown Dallas

Downtown Dallas is among the most walkable neighborhoods in the city, with a walk score of 92, a transit score of 85, and a bike score of 75. Renters here enjoy car-free living with DART light rail, bus lines, and walkable access to restaurants, grocery stores, offices, and Klyde Warren Park.

The neighborhood’s dense development makes errands, commutes, and nightlife accessible without a car. You can also make more room in your monthly budget by biking. Ongoing investment in protected bike lanes and sidewalk improvements continues to make Downtown more pedestrian-friendly each year.

Check out our listings in Downtown Dallas.

Oak Lawn

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,560
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $4,027
• Walk score: 85
• Transit score: 60
• Bike score: 76
• Map of Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn has a walk score of 85, a transit score of 60, and a bike score of 76, making it one of the city’s most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Known as the center of Dallas’ LGBTQ+ community, Oak Lawn offers lively nightlife on Cedar Springs Road, daytime brunch spots, and tree-lined residential blocks.

Renters enjoy access to the Katy Trail for biking and jogging, as well as convenient commutes to Uptown, Downtown, and the Medical District. With a strong mix of culture, connection, and convenience, Oak Lawn is one of Dallas’ most walkable cultural hubs.

Check out our listings in Oak Lawn.

Knox-Henderson

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $1,797
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,402
• Walk score: 87
• Transit score: 43
• Bike score: 66
• Map of Knox-Henderson

Knox-Henderson earns a walk score of 87, a transit score of 43, and a bike score of 66. This trendy strip north of Downtown is lined with restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques that make it easy to get around on foot.

The neighborhood is anchored by Henderson Avenue and connects to the Katy Trail, offering a balance of nightlife and daytime charm. While transit options are more limited than in Uptown or Downtown, Knox-Henderson’s compact design and popular destinations make it one of Dallas’ most walkable and social neighborhoods.

Check out our listings in Henderson.

Bishop Arts District

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,002
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,135
• Walk score (along West Eighth Street): 92
• Transit score (along West Eighth Street): 47
• Bike score (along West Eighth Street): 63
• Map of the Bishop Arts District

If you want to move to Dallas for a small-town feel with walkability, try the Bishop Arts District. It earns a walk score of 92, a transit score of 47, and a bike score of 63. The neighborhood is known for its independent boutiques, locally owned restaurants, and historic architecture, all packed into a highly walkable grid southwest of Downtown.

The Dallas Streetcar provides direct access to Downtown, while bus routes connect residents to the broader city. For renters looking for character and car-free living, Bishop Arts delivers an authentic, community-focused experience.

Check out our listings in Dallas.

Deep Ellum

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment: $2,090
• Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,380
• Walk score: 76
• Transit score: 76
• Bike score: 80
• Map of Deep Ellum

Deep Ellum is one of Dallas’ most colorful cultural districts, with a walk score of 76, a transit score of 76, and a bike score of 80. Just east of Downtown, the neighborhood is packed with murals, live music venues, breweries, and loft-style apartments. DART rail and bus connections make commuting easy, while the compact grid keeps daily errands walkable.

Though its walk score falls slightly below 80, Deep Ellum’s nightlife, culture, and accessibility make it a top choice for renters who want energy and walkability in one package.

Check out our listings in Deep Ellum.

Final Thoughts

Dallas may be known for wide highways and car commutes, but a handful of neighborhoods prove you can live here without being tied to a steering wheel. Thanks to dense restaurant districts, access to the DART light rail, and trails like the Katy, the most walkable neighborhoods in Dallas offer a lifestyle where errands, dining, and nightlife are all just steps away.

No matter which neighborhood reflects your lifestyle, whether it’s the energy of Uptown or the charm of Glencoe Park, make sure you prioritize safety. Check out our article about the safest Dallas neighborhoods.

When you’re ready to find a place that fits your lifestyle, take the Apartment List quiz and get matched with rentals built around how you actually live. With us, you’ll spend five minutes and save 50 hours searching.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta’s Most Walkable Neighborhoods

What’s the most walkable neighborhood in Dallas?

Uptown is Dallas’ most walkable neighborhood, with a walk score of 96. Residents can stroll to restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and gyms, plus enjoy direct access to the Katy Trail. Downtown follows closely with a walk score of 92, offering urban living paired with DART rail and bus access.

Can you live in Dallas without a car?

It’s possible to live in Dallas without a car, but only if you choose the right neighborhood. Uptown, Downtown, Knox-Henderson, Deep Ellum, and the Bishop Arts District all let residents walk to shops, dining, and transit. However, Dallas overall is car-dependent, and living without a vehicle outside these core areas can be very challenging.

Which Dallas neighborhoods have the best transit access?

Downtown Dallas has the strongest transit access, with multiple DART light rail lines, buses, and the M-Line trolley. Deep Ellum also connects directly to DART rail, while Bishop Arts benefits from the Dallas Streetcar, making these three areas your best bet for reliable public transit.

Is Dallas bike-friendly?

Dallas is becoming more bike-friendly, though progress is uneven. The citywide bike score is 49, but areas like Oak Lawn (76), Deep Ellum (76), and Downtown (75) stand out thanks to Katy Trail connections and protected bike lanes. Suburban neighborhoods, however, remain difficult for cycling.

Is it safe to walk around Dallas at night?

Safety in Dallas varies by neighborhood. Uptown and Bishop Arts are generally considered safe at night due to high foot traffic, restaurants, and nightlife activity. Downtown is safer around busy streets but can feel isolated in office-heavy sections after hours. As in any major city, using well-lit routes and staying alert is recommended.

Is Dallas a walkable city overall?

No, Dallas isn’t a walkable city overall. It has an overall walk score of 46, which makes it car-dependent compared to cities like New York or San Francisco. Still, a handful of core neighborhoods score in the 80s and 90s for walkability.

What’s the best Dallas neighborhood for young professionals without a car?

Uptown and Knox-Henderson are top picks for young professionals without a car, thanks to their strong nightlife, dining, gyms, and trails all within walking distance. Downtown and Deep Ellum are also strong options with better transit access.

What Dallas neighborhoods are walkable and affordable?

The Bishop Arts District (walk score 82) offers relatively lower rents than Uptown or Downtown while still maintaining a walkable layout with shops and dining. Some areas near Glencoe Park and Deep Ellum also balance affordability and walkability.

Which Dallas neighborhoods have the best mix of walkability and culture?

Deep Ellum is the standout for culture and walkability. It has a walk score of 76 and is packed with music venues, street art, and nightlife. Bishop Arts also blends culture, food, and boutique shopping in a pedestrian-friendly district.

How does Dallas compare to other Texas cities for walkability?

Dallas is on par with other major Texas cities. It has an overall walk score of 46, just below Houston (47) and just above Austin (42).