Living in Rowlett
Lake-adjacent homes at moderate prices, with a rail line into Dallas.
Getting around
The Bush Turnpike and I-30 reach Dallas and Richardson. The DART Blue Line ends at Downtown Rowlett.
- Downtown Dallas ~27 min 20 mi
- Legacy West (Plano) ~32 min 26 mi
- DFW Airport ~51 min 34 mi
- Downtown Fort Worth ~64 min 51 mi
Off-peak drive estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), measured from each area's center on 2026-10-21. Rush hour is often much longer.
2025 property tax rates
| Location | City | School district | County | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rowlett (Dallas County, Garland ISD) | 0.8079 | 1.1709 | 0.5341 | 2.5129% |
| Rowlett (Rockwall County) | 0.8079 | 1.1709 | 0.251 | 2.2298% |
2025 tax rates per $100 of value, from Republic Title's 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates (compiled from county appraisal districts). County column includes county, community college and hospital districts where they apply. Excludes MUD/PID and special districts, and is before homestead exemptions.
Strengths
- Lake access at moderate prices
- DART rail at Downtown Rowlett
- Bush Turnpike access
Tradeoffs
- Older housing in many areas
- Sapphire Bay's future is uncertain
- Fewer big-retail options
Nearby
Lake Ray Hubbard, Downtown Rowlett, Paddle Point Park
Development watch
Sapphire Bay, a planned lakefront resort district, has housing built but its resort pieces remain unbuilt. The city issued a notice of default to the developer in January 2026.