Cost of Living in Palm Springs, CA (2024)

FAQs

Is it expensive to live in Palm Springs CA? ›

Cost of Living in Palm Springs, California by Expense Category. Palm Springs's housing expenses are 43% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 6% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 13% higher than the national average.

Which city is cheaper, Palm Springs or Los Angeles? These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. The average daily cost (per person) in Los Angeles is $257, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $206.

On average, Palm Springs, CA residents spend about $254 per month on electricity. That adds up to $3,048 per year.

Situated on Coachella Valley's western edge, Palm Springs sees over 350 days of sunshine each year! There's very little rain and, for most of the year, the weather is simply spectacular. It provides a small-town feeling because about 50,000 people live in the area.

Palm Springs architecture has long made the town a favored destination of midcentury-modern design lovers, and the biggest names of that era (say, Walt Disney or Frank Sinatra) enjoyed the desert oasis plenty.

Andreas Hills. Andreas Hills is often referred to as the "Bel Air of Palm Springs'' since it's the most exclusive, prestigious, and scenic neighborhood in the desert city.

The per capita income in Palm Springs in 2018 was $56,196, which is wealthy relative to California and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $224,784 for a family of four. However, Palm Springs contains both very wealthy and poor people as well.

Summer daytime temperatures frequently reach 100 degrees, and winter days are mild with highs in the low 70s. Las Vegas enjoys a similar desert climate, with sunny skies and seasonal temperatures only a bit cooler than in Palm Springs.

The humidity is low.

While the temperatures can reach the triple digits, the low humidity and unique microclimate means summer is a great time to luxuriate in the dry heat. Lower humidity means you can enjoy all that Palm Springs has to offer.

The 110-mile road trip from LA to Palm Springs takes 2 hours and 45 minutes. Key stops include Mount Baldy, Rancho Cucamonga, Mt San Jacinto State Park, San Bernardino National Forest, Rim of the World Scenic Byway, Lake Arrowhead, and Big Bear Lake.

What is the average household income in Palm Springs California? ›

The average household income ($106,420) for 92264 is less than the average household income for 92270 ($147,469) and 92561 ($113,745). But it's more than 92234 ($78,863), 92260 ($99,512), 92262 ($102,622), Riverside County ($100,004), and Palm Springs city ($104,560).

On average, Palm Desert, CA residents spend about $223 per month on electricity. That adds up to $2,676 per year.

Average Utility Costs in California: $380 per month

Utilities can add up fast, especially when you add cable and internet bills.

Palm Springs continued to have by far the most unsheltered people in the valley at 239, up 8% from last year's 222. The figure more than doubled in Desert Hot Springs, from 48 unsheltered people last year to 107 this year. In total, there were 982 homeless people counted in the Coachella Valley, up 3% from 949 in 2022.

Leonardo DiCaprio became Palm Springs' most famous resident when he purchased Dinah Shore's former home at 432 Hermosa. When he isn't using his Palm Springs residence, the Oscar-winning actor rents the property out. The mid-century modern home includes 6 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms.

The area that is known as 'Desert Highland Gateway Estates'. It is probably the worst area in Palm Springs. In terms of good and bad areas, stay out of North Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and parts of Cathedral City. Stay in South Palm Springs and you should be good.

One local ingredient that's truly celebrated in Palm Springs is the date, grown locally in Southern California and blended deliciously into the area's famous “date shakes.”

The humidity is a result of the Southwest monsoon weather pattern that occurs when wind blows in from the east and southeast, bringing tropical moisture along with it, according to James Brotherton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Palm Springs' best local restaurants have helped the Californian city garner a reputation among foodies as a major hot spot for quality dining.

Kylie Jenner's mansion appears to be the crown jewel of an expanding Kardashian-Jenner real estate empire in the Palm Springs, California area, where her mother Kris Jenner and sisters Kourtney Kardashian also have opulent abodes.

What is Palm Springs popular for? ›

The city of Palm Springs is situated in the Coachella Valley, roughly 100 miles east of Los Angeles in the Sonoran Desert. This popular resort town is known for its gorgeous sunny climate, golf courses, restaurants, hotels, and natural hot springs.

On the western end is Palm Springs, known for its old Hollywood glamour, stylish resorts, and significant architecture. But more mid-to-east valley, about 30 minutes from Palm Springs, is Indian Wells, which has the area's priciest residential real estate as ranked by median listing price, according to Realtor.com.

Palm Springs Average High and Low Temperatures

For those visual learners out there, here is a graph of the average high and low temperatures by month in Palm Springs. Remember, the air is dry so the highs and lows both feel a bit cooler than in a humid climate.

If you live in Palm Springs, you won't need to worry about drinking contaminated water. The treatment facilities that are located there ensure that all of the water coming into the area is uncontaminated, safe, and healthy.

On average 354 days in Palm Springs each year are sunny, and the percentage of available sunshine is about 85; not quite a record, as places a little further east such as Yuma in Arizona have even less clouds, and up to 90% sun.

Palm Springs is Very Diverse and Inclusive

One might even say that this desert town is a place where even liberals and conservatives tolerate each other more than anywhere else. You'll find this fact to be true the moment you start living in Palm Springs—it's definitely one of our favorite things about this town.

The richest city in California is Los Altos Hills. With a median income of $254,000 at the beginning of 2023, the town just edges out Woodside and Hillsborough. Los Altos Hills has been the wealthiest in California since 2019 (prior, it was in fourth place).

Palm Springs Demographics

White: 79.37% Other race: 5.03% Asian: 4.93% Black or African American: 4.9%

“It's still relatively cheaper than the cost of living in California. Our taxes are more forgivable. It's a lot lower here as a small business,” Yang said.

Taxes. Unlike California, Nevada has a more appealing system of taxes for its residents. Californians can forget about a state income tax they had to pay as well as pay less for food and medicine because there is no sale tax on these goods too. One of the main advantages of moving from California to Nevada.

Is Palm Springs getting too hot? ›

A new study finds that climate change will have a devastating effect on the greater Palm Springs area's dominant industry -- tourism. Due to climate change, the number of days above 85 degrees between November and April is projected to increase up to 150% by the end of the century.

The total annual rainfall in the Palm Springs area is very limited. In January and February, the average rainfall is about an inch or less each month. For the year, the average total rainfall in Palm Springs is about 5 inches—or less—for the yearly total.

While Palm Springs doesn't exactly have a low cost of living, it's a fraction of the price of other California cities. Better still, it offers a lower cost without missing out on amenities and attractions. For example, the cost of living in Palm Springs is 131/100, 31% higher than the national average.

In Palm Springs, the temperature ranges from the lower 70's to the lower 80's between November and March, so most days are very pleasant and perfect for being outdoors. If you're a avid hiker, head to Lake Cahuilla or to Joshua Tree National Park.

When taking a private shuttle from LAX airport, your fare is calculated using a meter; the average price is around €320 ($390 USD), and it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to get to Palm Springs, depending on traffic conditions.

Palm Springs is around 1 hour and 54 minutes from Tamarack State Beach in San Diego County. Carlsbad State Beach includes it. Tamarack State Beach is among the beaches where swimming is the safest. The coastline includes lifeguards on duty in addition to the warm waters where you may swim, scuba dive, surf, and kayak.

Getting Around. Palm Springs is relatively compact and walkable. The Palm Springs International Airport is about a 10-minute ride into downtown.

Tourism is the largest industry in Greater Palm Springs, supporting 1 in 4 jobs in the region. Because tourism is such a vital part of the local economy, Visit Greater Palm Springs conducts ongoing research to not only support visitation to the destination but also track the impact of visitors.

Cost of Living in Palm Springs, California by Expense Category. Palm Springs's housing expenses are 43% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 6% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 13% higher than the national average.

What is the sales tax rate in Palm Springs, California? The minimum combined 2023 sales tax rate for Palm Springs, California is 9.25%. This is the total of state, county and city sales tax rates. The California sales tax rate is currently 6%.

Is electricity expensive in Palm Springs? ›

On average, Palm Springs, CA residents spend about $254 per month on electricity. That adds up to $3,048 per year. That's 53% higher than the national average electric bill of $1,991.

The data used in the study analyzed the cost of living in each city as of 2022. For California cities like Los Angeles, Berkeley and San Diego, a single person must make more than $76,000 to “live comfortably,” the data shows.

Annual Food Cost by State

The average food cost per month in California goes between $233 and $266. In Alaska, in contrast, residents spend between $300 and $333 on food.

Hawaii is the state with the highest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 184. The state's high cost of living is mainly due to the high cost of housing, which is among the highest in the nation.

The average household income ($106,420) for 92264 is less than the average household income for 92270 ($147,469) and 92561 ($113,745). But it's more than 92234 ($78,863), 92260 ($99,512), 92262 ($102,622), Riverside County ($100,004), and Palm Springs city ($104,560).

If you're looking to come at the most popular time of year with nearly perfect weather, that would be February, March and April. This is when the average temperature hovers in the 70s and 80s by day with cooler temps rolling in during the dry desert nights. If that sounds nice to you, you're not the only one.

Singer Sia and her husband Erik Lang own a $4.7 million home in the Los Feliz area. Palm Springs has been home to countless celebrities and media moguls, and some of them, even many who have passed on, are well-known for their homes in the area.

Andreas Hills is often referred to as the "Bel Air of Palm Springs'' since it's the most exclusive, prestigious, and scenic neighborhood in the desert city. Boasting incredible views of Mount San Jacinto, Andreas Hills has a wide array of homes in different architectural styles.

The area that is known as 'Desert Highland Gateway Estates'. It is probably the worst area in Palm Springs. In terms of good and bad areas, stay out of North Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and parts of Cathedral City. Stay in South Palm Springs and you should be good.

Which is hotter Palm Springs or Las Vegas? ›

Summer daytime temperatures frequently reach 100 degrees, and winter days are mild with highs in the low 70s. Las Vegas enjoys a similar desert climate, with sunny skies and seasonal temperatures only a bit cooler than in Palm Springs.

August is the hottest month in Palm Springs with an average temperature of 25.05°C (77°F) and the coldest is January at 13.55°C (56°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 13 in August. The wettest month is January with an average of 48.4mm of rain.

Palm Springs, California has plenty of homes and mansions that are breathtaking inside and out. Leonardo DiCaprio's Palm Springs estate, located at 432 Hermosa, is no exception.

Downtown Palm Springs CA is the nicest part of Palm Springs. Palm Springs Canyon Drive is dotted on either side by giant palm trees, a true postcard perspective of the city. Most of the hotels, restaurants, shopping, and bars are found in this convenient downtown area.

Downtown Palm Springs is walkable, bikeable, and the best area to stay for first time visitors.

Abundant sunshine, low humidity and year round high temperatures are the main characteristics of the weather in Palm Springs. Winter days are among the mildest in the US, and the high temperature is rarely less than 65°F though a few nights each year do fall below zero.