salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 6.6 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most homes (86.4%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $121,520 a year. That is $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 510 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Desert Palms?
Share of households by yearly income. 33.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Desert Palms
| Size | Desert Palms | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $1,992 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Desert Palms 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 Palms, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Desert Palms
Life in Desert Palms
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Desert Palms?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $899 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $567,400 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $56,740 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Desert Palms, CA?
Renting in Desert Palms costs a median of about $3,038 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Desert Palms?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $121,520 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Desert Palms cheap or expensive?
Desert Palms is rated Expensive: rent takes 42.4% of the typical household income of $86,056. It ranks 510th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Desert Palms?
The median homeowner in Desert Palms pays $5,185 a year in property taxes, about 0.91% of the median home value.
Is Desert Palms 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 Palms?
The median home value in Desert Palms is $567,400, about 6.6 times the typical yearly household income.
6,579 people live in Desert Palms. Numbers are typical (middle) values.