What to know before you move: cost, market timing, who it fits.
If you're considering a move to Joshua Tree, CA, the most important variables are the local housing market, the cost structure (taxes, insurance, utilities), and how well the city fits your day-to-day life. This page summarizes the housing market read; pair it with the cost of living page for the full picture.
Joshua Tree is a city in San Bernardino County, California, with an estimated population of 6,489. It anchors the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area. The median home value in Joshua Tree is $345,770 as of 2026-04, down 4.6% over the last 12 months. Over the last five years, home values have averaged +2.2% annual growth, and the market currently sits about 29% below its 5-year peak. Rents in Joshua Tree average $2,195 per month, up 15.1% year-over-year. The composite momentum score is 45 of 100 (Cooling). Buyers may find more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.
Prices have come off recent highs (-28.6% from peak). Buyers may have more room to negotiate; sellers should price realistically.
Reasons people move here
- Reset opportunity: 29% off recent peak but +10.9% annualized over 10 years — long-run trend is up even if the last year wasn't.
- Hot rental market: rents up 15.1% YoY — landlords have pricing power, supports new investment math.
Things to know first
- 29% off the 5-year peak. That's not a healthy correction — that's a market that ran too far and is still digesting.
- Cooling: -4.6% over the trailing year — momentum has stalled.
- Rental squeeze: rents up 15.1% YoY — tenants face tough renewals. Affordability deteriorating fast.
- Thin housing market: small population means fewer transactions and slower resale. Liquidity risk on exit.
More about Joshua Tree
Sources: Zillow ZHVI (home values), Zillow ZORI (rents), US Census ACS + place population. Updated when source agencies publish revisions.