Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (2024)

Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (1)
Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (2)

The Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism recently launched a new ad campaign: Las Vegas vs. Palm Springs. Designed to draw visitors to one desert oasis over another, this campaign shows us that each city has a definite personality.

With their own distinctive attractions, it’s easy to find reasons why both Las Vegas and Palm Springs are popular destinations for active adult retirees. But how different are these two desert hot spots, and which one is right for you?

Climate

In either city, active adult retirees will find a beautiful desert climate. Located in the Coachella Valley and sheltered by a ring of mountains, Palm Springs enjoys hot, sunny days and cool, clear nights. 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.

Attractions and Activities

At first glance, it’s easy to see some big differences in the entertainment available at each of these desert cities. Las Vegas is known around the world for its flashy strip of all-night casinos, star-studded live performances, bustling night life, and famous restaurants. On the other hand, Palm Springs is perceived as a quiet desert getaway with championship golf courses, relaxing resorts, full-service spas, and classic cultural attractions.

But when it comes to daily living, relocating retirees will find that either city offers much more than its popular tourist attractions. In Palm Springs, active adults will love the area’s abundant open space and friendly, small-town feel.

Shops range from upscale boutiques to shopping malls and department stores. Hiking and golf are both popular activities, and one of Palm Springs’ most impressive golf courses is found at theactive lifestyle communityTrilogy at La Quinta.

Over in Nevada, retirees will find a wide range of attractions just outside of the glittering Las Vegas Strip. Local museums cover many special interests, while the nearby Lake Mead Recreational Center gives residents the perfect place to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and camping. Active adults who want to expand their minds are also welcome at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where they can take classes or attend a variety of cultural performances.

Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (3)

Real Estate

Home prices in both cities can vary widely, but the current market has lowered home prices in both of these areas.

Retirees looking for sprawling resort-style communities will have no trouble finding developments that fit the bill in Palm Springs. Withnearly 5,000 homes, Sun City Palm Desert is the area’s largest active adult community. Mid-sized communities like Trilogy at La Quinta and Terra Lago also boast championship golf courses and an array of amenities.

In Las Vegas, relocating retirees can also find impressive resort-style developments, as well as more intimate (and more affordable) active adult communities. Two of the largest communities—complete with multiple golf courses—are Sun City Summerlin and Sun City Anthem. More affordable homes can also be found in cozy communities like Ardiente and Solera at Stallion Mountain.

While the Bureau of Tourism in Palm Springs may be keen on promotingits own city, it’s clear to see that there are many reasons why both Palm Springs and Las Vegas continue to be popular destinations for relocating active adult retirees.

Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (4)
Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (5)

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Palm Springs vs. Las Vegas: Which Desert Destination Is Right For You? (2024)

FAQs

Which is hotter Las Vegas or Palm Springs? ›

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.

Does Palm Springs have a desert? ›

Palm Springs (Cahuilla: Séc-he) is a desert resort city in Riverside County, California, United States, within the Colorado Desert's Coachella Valley.

Is Las Vegas high desert or low desert? ›

Las Vegas has a subtropical hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification: BWh), typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies.

Is Palm Springs high or low desert? ›

Comparison example: Palm Springs is considered "Low Desert", at 500 feet (150 m) above sea level. In contrast, Landers is considered "High Desert", at 3,100 feet (940 m) above sea level.

How hot is the desert in Las Vegas? ›

Las Vegas has a subtropical hot desert type of climate; the summers are sweltering, the winters are mild but with cold nights, and it is dry and mostly clear year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 38°F to 105°F and is rarely below 30°F or above 111°F.

Why is Palm Springs so popular? ›

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.

Why is Palm Springs special? ›

As a playground for the rich and famous, sports such as golf and tennis became popular, and today, Palm Springs is known as the Golf Capital of the World.

Why is Palm Springs known for? ›

A popular resort city for many years, Palm Springs is known for its natural hot springs, hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and sunny weather. It's been a favorite destination for Hollywood stars since the 1930s, and many celebrities maintain homes in the Palm Springs area.

Do any celebrities live in Palm Springs? ›

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.

Is Palm Springs dry or humid? ›

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.

Is there a desert in Vegas? ›

The Mojave Desert, Las Vegas.

Why is Las Vegas called the desert? ›

The area that Las Vegas occupies was once an abundant wet marshland filled with rich vegetation. But as the marsh receded and waters disappeared from the landscape, the region evolved into an arid desert land.

Is Las Vegas a desert state? ›

Nevada is largely desert and semiarid, much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, while Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada lie on the western edge.

Where do the rich live in Palm Springs? ›

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. Boasting incredible views of Mount San Jacinto, Andreas Hills has a wide array of homes in different architectural styles.

Is it always sunny in Palm Springs? ›

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.

Is Palm Springs a dark sky city? ›

The Greater Palm Springs (GPS) area, comprised of nine communities, is also home to pockets of natural beauty and dark skies.

Is Vegas dry or humid? ›

Because Vegas is a desert climate and therefore super dry, you need to make sure your body is getting enough H20. It's very easy to overheat in Las Vegas and get dehydrated. While the temptation to consume alcohol is there, it's extremely important to balance those drinks out with water.

Is Las Vegas as hot as Arizona? ›

Average highs in the middle of summer are 101°-105° in Las Vegas, while average highs in Phoenix are about 104°-106°. In winter, both cities have very tolerable temperatures. The average winter low in Phoenix ranges from 44°-48°, while Las Vegas sees slightly cooler temperatures with average lows of around 38°-42°.

Does it rain in Las Vegas desert? ›

Las Vegas lies only some 100 miles (160 km) east of Death Valley, one of the hottest and driest places in the country, with an average annual precipitation of only 4 inches (100 mm). The area has endured rainless periods of up to two years, although on average no year is without some precipitation.

Why do old people move to Palm Springs? ›

The dry heat has great benefits including faster healing and reduced arthritis symptoms. This makes it ideal for retirees! The warm, dry days in Palm Springs mean you can enjoy many outdoor activities. Golf, tennis, walking, biking, you name it.

Is Palm Springs bearable in the summer? ›

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.

Why do people retire in Palm Springs? ›

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.

Why is Palm Springs water white? ›

Most of the water we serve is high mineral content – some people refer to it as hard water. This is typical for systems that rely on groundwater. Many of the minerals in the water are things you would find in vitamins. The white buildup you see is likely calcium and/or magnesium.

Do people like living in Palm Springs? ›

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.

What is Palm Springs best season? ›

The best time to visit Palm Springs is between January and April when the weather is the most hospitable.

What is the message of Palm Springs? ›

As Samberg sees it, the real message of that final shot of the dinosaurs in the distance is that each of us, with our own personal baggage of hopes and fears and foibles, ultimately makes our own reality. “The thing that is so key about the dinosaurs is that Sarah and Nyles both see them,” he says.

Why don't they trim the palm trees in Palm Springs? ›

There have been cases of asphyxiation associated with palm tree skirts, as this 2006 LA Times article shows. Still, the most likely way to die involving a palm tree is actually by falling while trying to trim the fronds. Trimming is dangerous work undertaken by scores of landscapers each year in the Coachella Valley.

Is it expensive in Palm Springs? ›

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.

Does Leonardo DiCaprio live in Palm Springs? ›

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.

Which Kardashians live in Palm Springs? ›

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.

When should I go to Palm Desert? ›

Wintertime is prime time in the desert. During January to March, the weather is at its very best with perfect sunshine and very pleasant average temperatures ranging between 22 to 27 degrees celsius. Naturally, this makes for a great day of getting out and hiking or riding in the valley.

How far apart are Palm Desert and Palm Springs? ›

The direct drive from Palm Springs to Palm Desert is 11.8 mi (19 km), and should have a drive time of 21 mins in normal traffic.

Does Palm Desert have a high crime rate? ›

Property crimes that are tracked for this analysis are burglary, larceny over fifty dollars, motor vehicle theft, and arson. In Palm Desert, your chance of becoming a victim of a property crime is one in 30, which is a rate of 33 per one thousand population.

Are there mosquitoes in Palm Springs? ›

The southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus, is a nuisance to residential communities from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. Larvae breed in foul or highly polluted waters, typically in artificial containers, fish ponds, septic tanks, catch basins, waste treatment ponds, and neglected swimming pools.

Can you drink the water in Palm Springs? ›

Drinking water provided by the district meets all federal and state water quality standards. Water filters may change the taste of tap water, but they are not necessary.

Is it always windy in Palm Springs? ›

Generally, there are significant winds in Palm Springs all year long. The strongest and longest winds however occur during the spring. From April through June the winds seem to kick up even stronger.

What is the closest desert to Las Vegas? ›

Las Vegas is located in the northeastern portion of the Mojave Desert, a region influenced by the Sonoran Desert to the south and the Great Basin Desert to the north. The Chihuahuan desert, primarily a Mexican desert, lies far to the southeast and does not influence the Las Vegas region.

What is the ghost town in Las Vegas desert? ›

Pioche. You'll get the best of both worlds in “Nevada's Liveliest Ghost Town.” Pioche pairs more modern-day attractions—like stunning state parks, saloons, and museums—with authentic Wild West roots and relics, and all of it is less than three hours from Las Vegas.

What is the hottest desert in Vegas? ›

Many tourists that pass through Las Vegas visit Death Valley, the hottest place on Earth, during the summer months to experience the extreme heat. The hottest air temperature ever recorded in Death Valley was 134°F.

What is the sister city of Las Vegas? ›

phu*ket, Thailand, and Huludao, China, are also sister cities of Las Vegas.

What is Las Vegas best known for? ›

What is Las Vegas Most Famous For?
  • The Strip.
  • Las Vegas casinos.
  • Stage performances.
  • Helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon.
  • High Roller.
  • The Arts District.
  • Fremont Street.
  • SkyPod.

What is the famous Las Vegas desert? ›

Death Valley National Park is one of America's grandest treasures. It's truly immense, and the stunning desert landscape is like nowhere else on Earth. Highlights include sand dunes at Stovepipe Wells, picturesque lodgings at Furnace Creek, and famous Badwater Basin – the lowest elevation on the continent.

Is Las Vegas a valley or desert? ›

The Las Vegas Valley is ecologically part of the Mojave Desert, whose characteristic plant is the Joshua tree. The smallest of the North American deserts, the Mojave supports significant human settlement only in the Las Vegas area and at a few points along the Colorado River.

What is Las Vegas also known as? ›

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Locals hate the title, but it's stuck for years and years – “Sin City.” What most don't know is the history behind Las Vegas' unshakable nickname. To many, especially tourists and outsiders, the reference is obvious.

What does Las Vegas mean in English? ›

He named the valley "Las Vegas," which translates roughly into "The Meadows," to acknowledge the wild grasses which grew in the nutrient rich desert soil with ample supply of water. Development of the Las Vegas valley began in 1907 with the installation of the first flowing groundwater well.

Is Palm Springs one of the hottest cities? ›

In summertime, the highs are not quite so extreme as other locations in the Sonoran Desert further east; the proximity to the Pacific Ocean restricts normal highs to around 110°F, unlike the 120°F+ for places along the Colorado River and around Death Valley, but Palm Springs is one of the top five consistently hot ...

Is California or Nevada hotter? ›

Las Vegas is hotter.

But, you can't jump in the car and hit the beach on a hot day like you can in California, unless you have a lot of time to spare to make the 10 hour round trip worthwhile. Be prepared to endure many weeks of temperatures over 100 degrees (it gets easier with time).

Is Palm Springs miserable in the summer? ›

Summer is a long and very, very hot season in Palm Springs. Although the city all but empties of tourist crowds, you will have to contend with average daytime temperatures that regularly climb above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat can make it difficult to enjoy the city, even if you are lounging poolside.

Is it hotter in California or Nevada? ›

No, Las Vegas is not hotter than California. Aside from Death Valley at -282′ below sea level [where the hottest temperature on earth was set in 1913], the low elevation regions of the Sonoran desert typically record hotter temperatures than the high desert [Mojave] where Las Vegas is located at around 2001′.

Is the weather better in Palm Springs or Desert Hot Springs? ›

Desert Hot Springs is also windier than Palm Springs, and so it is five to eight degrees cooler. Palm Springs is also more crowded.

Why are Californians moving to Las Vegas? ›

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.

Why do people move from California to Nevada? ›

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 it cheaper to live in Las Vegas or California? ›

The cost of living in Los Angeles, CA is 40.1% higher than in Las Vegas, NV. You would have to earn a salary of $84,079 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in Los Angeles, CA typically pay 10.4% more than employeers in Las Vegas, NV.

Is Palm Springs about depression? ›

Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti on 'Palm Springs' Being an Allegory for Depression and Anxiety.

What is the best month to go to Palm Springs? ›

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.

What is the rainiest city in California? ›

Smith River has an oceanic climate because of its location on the California coast. It is the wettest area in the state where humans live. As of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the population of the town is 906. The average precipitation is 80.03 inches, making it the rainiest place in California.

What's the hottest state in America? ›

Florida is the hottest state in the US, with an average temperature of 73.4 °F. Louisiana is the second hottest state, with an average temperature of 68.5 °F, followed by Texas, the third hottest state, with an average temperature of 68 °F.

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