Palm Desert

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Palm Desert, CA

Area Guide

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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.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in Palm Desert, CA is $1,613 for a studio, $1,926 for one bedroom, $2,131 for two bedrooms, and $3,225 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
$1,926/month
734 Sq Ft
House
$8,716/month
2,477 Sq Ft
Condo
$5,159/month
1,558 Sq Ft
Townhome
$2,941/month
1,425 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in Palm Desert, CA

Transportation

52

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

1

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

48

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

James Earl Carter Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

516 Students

7
out of 10

Ronald Reagan Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

834 Students

6
out of 10

Abraham Lincoln Elementary

Public

Grades K-5

585 Students

4
out of 10

Palm Desert High

Public

Grades 9-12

2,050 Students

9
out of 10

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

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 2025.