Living in Palm Springs, California
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Palm Springs · Census data 2020–2024
Palm Springs has 45,070 residents with a median age of 58.5. The median household income is $73,119 (26% lower than the California median), the median home value is $604,000, the median rent is $1,562/month.
Palm Springs at a glance
- Population
- 45,070
- Median age
- 58.5State: 37.9
- Median household income
- $73,119State: $99,122
- Median home value
- $604,000State: $734,700
- Median rent
- $1,562/moState: $2,036
- Homeowners
- 65.9%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 44.5%
- Average commute
- 22 min
Is Palm Springs a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 18% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.8%.
Cons: Median household income 26% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.7%.
The weather is best in January to March and November.
Cost of living in Palm Springs
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Palm Springs the median home value is $604,000, 82% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,562 per month, which is 38% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,641 a month in housing costs.
Palm Springs median household income
The median household income in Palm Springs is $73,119 and the income per person is $67,909. 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line (California: 12%).
Housing in Palm Springs: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 36,813
- Owner-occupied
- 65.9%
- Renter-occupied
- 34.1%
- Vacant
- 33.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1977
- Average household size
- 1.80
33.3% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Palm Springs has many vacation and second homes.
Palm Springs demographics
- Population
- 45,070
- Median age
- 58.5
- Under 18
- 7.9%
- 65 and older
- 35.3%
- Households
- 24,567
- Foreign-born
- 19.1%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Palm Springs ›
Education in Palm Springs
44.5% of adults 25 and older in Palm Springs have a bachelor's degree or higher (California: 37.1%), and 19.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Palm Springs
- Unemployment rate
- 7.7%State: 6.6%
- Average commute
- 22 minState: 29 min
- Work from home
- 26%
- Drive alone
- 61.7%
- Public transit
- 1.4%
- Walk to work
- 2.3%
- Homes with broadband
- 91.2%
Palm Springs vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Springs | 45,070 | $73,119 | $604,000 | $1,562 |
| Cathedral City | 52,267 | $73,572 | $453,100 | $1,601 |
| Rancho Mirage | 17,563 | $107,364 | $807,200 | $1,510 |
| Garnet | 7,382 | $72,694 | $267,900 | $1,907 |
| Desert Edge | 3,778 | $37,429 | $76,300 | $903 |
| Thousand Palms | 7,720 | $77,000 | $268,700 | $1,495 |
| Desert Hot Springs | 33,200 | $52,761 | $354,800 | $1,412 |
| Palm Desert | 51,990 | $77,513 | $542,000 | $1,778 |
| Idyllwild-Pine Cove | 3,957 | $73,678 | $532,400 | $1,554 |
More for people moving to Palm Springs
Palm Springs ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Palm Springs: FAQ
What is the median household income in Palm Springs, CA?
The median household income in Palm Springs is $73,119, 26% 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 Springs?
The median home value in Palm Springs is $604,000, compared with $734,700 in California.
How much is rent in Palm Springs?
The median gross rent in Palm Springs is $1,562 per month, about 38% of household income.
Is Palm Springs, CA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 18% lower than the state median; an average commute of 22 minutes; a poverty rate of 11.8%. Minuses: median household income 26% lower than the California median; unemployment of 7.7%.
What is the median age in Palm Springs?
The median age in Palm Springs is 58.5 years (California: 37.9).
How long is the commute in Palm Springs?
The average commute to work in Palm Springs is 22 minutes; 26% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Palm Springs?
The unemployment rate in Palm Springs is 7.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Palm Springs?
44.5% of adults in Palm Springs 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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