salaryRent is higher than in 52% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $67,760 a year. That is $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of California. It is number 129 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Desert Hot Springs?
Share of households by yearly income. 13.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Desert Hot Springs
| Size | Desert Hot Springs | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,020 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $926 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,448 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,977 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,460 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Desert Hot Springs overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Desert Hot Springs, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Desert Hot Springs
Life in Desert Hot Springs
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Desert Hot Springs?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $768 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $354,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $35,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Desert Hot Springs, CA?
Renting in Desert Hot Springs costs a median of about $1,694 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Desert Hot Springs?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $67,760 a year, or $33 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Desert Hot Springs cheap or expensive?
Desert Hot Springs is rated Expensive: rent takes 35.7% of the typical household income of $56,903. It ranks 129th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Desert Hot Springs?
The median homeowner in Desert Hot Springs pays $3,507 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Desert Hot Springs more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Desert Hot Springs?
The median home value in Desert Hot Springs is $354,800, about 6.2 times the typical yearly household income.
33,200 people live in Desert Hot Springs. Numbers are typical (middle) values.