Palm Desert

With towering mountain vistas and lush green fairways, Palm Desert is the town for you.
The flat-roof earth-toned homes of Palm Desert come in all shapes and sizes.
Palm Desert Civic Center Park is a public park located in the heart of Palm Desert, California.
In the Palm Desert Civic Center Park see sculptures like "The Dreamer", by David Phelps.
Palm Desert is known for the palm-tree lined streets swaying to breeze.

Palm Desert, CA Area Guide

Avg Rent

$1,899

Population

72,445

Renter Mix

32% Rent

Palm Desert, California, is a vibrant gem nestled in the heart of the Coachella Valley. This city offers a wonderful mix of suburban living with stunning desert landscapes. You'll find plenty of green spaces to enjoy, like Civic Center Park and Cahuilla Hills Park, perfect for picnics, hiking, and outdoor activities. Renters can choose from a range of housing options, from luxury apartments in neighborhoods like South Palm Desert to charming condos near El Paseo, the city's shopping and dining district. Plus, Palm Desert is home to the renowned College of the Desert, providing educational opportunities right at your doorstep. Living in Palm Desert means being part of a community with rich history and engaging local events. The city hosts the annual Palm Desert Golf Cart Parade, a quirky and fun tradition that draws residents and visitors alike. Additionally, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens offers a unique way to explore the region's natural wonders. Whether you're into arts, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up the sun, Palm Desert has something for everyone.

Explore the City

Palm Desert Civic Center Park is a public park located in the heart of Palm Desert, California.

In the Palm Desert Civic Center Park see sculptures like "The Dreamer", by David Phelps.

Palm Desert is known for the palm-tree lined streets swaying to breeze.

From the Coachella Valley Vista Point, you can see panoramic views of Palm Desert.

These highways like the one seen here provide convenient access to Palm Desert and the surrounding areas.

Demographics

Median Household Income

$78,938

Average: $107,806

Education

29,117

Residents Have a Degree

Job Market

29,214

Workers Employed

Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.

Median Age

56 Years

Largest Age Group

70-79 Years

Approximately 17% of Residents

Under 20

15%

Over 65

38%

Housing Distribution

Palm Desert has more homeowners than renters.

Renters
32%
Non-Renters
68%

Education Distribution

Review this city's overall education levels.

Bachelor's or Higher
33%
Other Education
67%

Rent Trends

As of April 2026, the average apartment rent in Palm Desert, CA is $1,641 for a studio, $1,898 for one bedroom, $2,068 for two bedrooms, and $3,157 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Palm Desert has increased by 1.1% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,898/month
737 Sq Ft
House
$7,404/month
2,253 Sq Ft
Condo
$4,880/month
1,539 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,931/month
1,249 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Palm Desert, CA

Getting Around

Fairly Walkable

Walkability

40 / 100

Limited Public Transit

Transit

20 / 100

Very Drivable

Drivability

80 / 100

Fairly Bikeable

Bikeability

40 / 100

Schools

George Washington Charter

Public

Grades K-5

746 Students

Abraham Lincoln Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

607 Students

James Earl Carter Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

487 Students

Ronald Reagan Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

808 Students

Palm Desert Charter Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

1,298 Students

Palm Desert High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,079 Students

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
  • Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert
  • Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Commuter Rail

Airports

  • Palm Springs International

Top Apartments in Palm Desert

Houses for Rent in Palm Desert

Property Management Companies in Palm Desert, CA

Search Nearby Rentals

Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2026.

Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.