Living in Palm Desert, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palm Desert · Census data 2020–2024
Palm Desert has 51,990 residents with a median age of 57.5. The median household income is $77,513 (22% lower than the California median), the median home value is $542,000, the median rent is $1,778/month.
Palm Desert at a glance
- Population
- 51,990
- Median age
- 57.5State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $77,513State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $542,000State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,778/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 65%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 40.7%
- Average commute
- 21 min
Is Palm Desert a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 6.4%; a poverty rate of 11%.
Cons: Median household income 22% lower than the California median.
The weather is best in February to April and November.
Cost of living in Palm Desert
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Palm Desert the median home value is $542,000, 63% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,778 per month, which is 37% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,660 a month in housing costs.
Palm Desert median household income
The median household income in Palm Desert is $77,513 and the income per person is $57,858. 11% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Palm Desert: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 37,028
- Owner-occupied
- 65%
- Renter-occupied
- 35%
- Vacant
- 33.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1985
- Average household size
- 2.08
33.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Palm Desert has many vacation and second homes.
Palm Desert demographics
- Population
- 51,990
- Median age
- 57.5
- Under 18
- 12.8%
- 65 and older
- 37.7%
- Households
- 24,690
- Foreign-born
- 17.5%
- Veterans
- 6.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palm Desert ›
Education in Palm Desert
40.7% of adults 25 and older in Palm Desert have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 16.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palm Desert
- Unemployment rate
- 6.4%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 21 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 14.9%
- Drive alone
- 69%
- Public transit
- 0.7%
- Walk to work
- 1.1%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.3%
Palm Desert vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Desert | 51,990 | $77,513 | $542,000 | $1,778 |
| Indian Wells | 4,871 | $162,990 | $1,078,200 | $1,088 |
| Rancho Mirage | 17,563 | $107,364 | $807,200 | $1,510 |
| Bermuda Dunes | 7,971 | $90,818 | $596,300 | $1,693 |
| Desert Palms | 6,579 | $79,792 | $567,400 | $1,957 |
| Thousand Palms | 7,720 | $77,000 | $268,700 | $1,495 |
| Indio | 91,950 | $77,167 | $458,400 | $1,437 |
| La Quinta | 38,707 | $99,250 | $661,600 | $1,785 |
| Cathedral City | 52,267 | $73,572 | $453,100 | $1,601 |
More for people moving to Palm Desert
Palm Desert ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palm Desert: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palm Desert, CA?
The median household income in Palm Desert is $77,513, 22% lower than the California median of $99,122 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Palm Desert?
The median home value in Palm Desert is $542,000, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Palm Desert?
The median gross rent in Palm Desert is $1,778 per month, about 37% of household income.
Is Palm Desert, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 26% lower than the state median; an average commute of 21 minutes; unemployment of 6.4%; a poverty rate of 11%. Minuses: median household income 22% lower than the California median.
What is the median age in Palm Desert?
The median age in Palm Desert is 57.5 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Palm Desert?
The average commute to work in Palm Desert is 21 minutes; 14.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palm Desert?
The unemployment rate in Palm Desert is 6.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palm Desert?
40.7% of adults in Palm Desert have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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