Median Age
56 Years
Largest Age Group
70-79 Years
Approximately 17% of Residents
Under 20
15%
Over 65
38%
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.
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.
Median Household Income
$78,938
Average: $107,806
Education
29,117
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
29,214
Workers Employed
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.
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
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.
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Palm Desert, CA is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
Limited Public Transit
Transit
Very Drivable
Drivability
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
Public
Grades K-5
746 Students
Public
Grades K-5
607 Students
Public
Grades K-5
487 Students
Public
Grades K-5
808 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
1,298 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
2,079 Students
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
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† 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.