Cost of living in Palm Desert, CA — Housing, Rent & Index

The median home value in Palm Desert, CA is $551,924 as of 2026-04. That places Palm Desert above the US average for housing cost, with a cost index of approximately 155 versus a national baseline of 100.

Over the past 12 months, the median home value in Palm Desert has fallen 2.5%, and over the past five years it has averaged +5.1% annual growth. The current price sits -9.5% from its 5-year peak in 2022-07.

Renters pay a median of $2,692 per month in Palm Desert. Rents have changed +2.3% over the last year and averaged +6.3% per year over five years.

Beyond housing, day-to-day costs in Palm Desert are shaped by state and local taxes, utility rates, transportation, and groceries. This page focuses on the housing component, which is the largest single line in most household budgets and the easiest to compare across cities using consistent national data.