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City Report · CA

Cathedral City

Pop. 52,267·293rd most expensive in California·Cathedral City rents have dropped 15.0%, currently a renter's market
Median rent (all units)
$2,321/mo
Year-over-Year
-15.0%
Month-over-Month
-2.9%
vs US Median
+$359
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Cathedral City · $2,321
More expensive than 73% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
87/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 19% below what Cathedral City's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,321/mo
Expected by trend
$2,846/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Cathedral City's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,660
1 BR
$1,740
2 BR
$2,160
3 BR
$2,880
4 BR+
$3,510
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,160/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,321 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$27,852/yr
At $2,321/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are down 15.0% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (-15.0% YoY, -2.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Cathedral City, CA is majority owner-occupied, 24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
52,267
Median income
$73,572
Median age
41.1
Renters
33.5%
Age distribution
20%
21.2%
24%
15.8%
19%
Under 1820%
18–3421.2%
35–5424%
55–6415.8%
65+19%
Gender
53.8%
46.2%
Male53.8%
Female46.2%
Race & ethnicity
36.9%
60.3%
White36.9%
Black2%
Hispanic60.3%
Asian6%
Education (25+)
19.2%
27.6%
28.8%
24.5%
No HS diploma19.2%
HS diploma27.6%
Some college28.8%
Bachelor's+24.5%
Housing tenure
66.5%
33.5%
Owner66.5%
Renter33.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2022 vs 2026

How Cathedral City, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,459 → $2,321
down 5.6%
Income
$56,671 → $73,572
up 29.8%
Population
51,836 → 52,267
up 0.8%
Renter share
37.5% → 33.5%
-4.0 pts
Bachelor's+
24.1% → 24.5%
+0.4 pts
Median age
40.3 → 41.1
+0.8 yrs

The median rent in Cathedral City, CA stood at $2,459 in 2022 and currently runs about $2,321, reflecting a 5.6% decrease over the period. Median household income rose from $56,671 to $73,572 between 2021 and 2024, a 29.8% shift. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. Renters now make up 33.5% of households, compared with 37.5% five years ago. Taken together, the five-year picture in Cathedral City, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Cathedral City rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Cathedral City on your salary?

At $2,321/mo, how Cathedral City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Cathedral City rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Cathedral City. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Cathedral City

About renting in Cathedral City, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Cathedral City is $2,321/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,660/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,160/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,740/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,880/mo.

At 38% of local median household income ($73,572/yr), Cathedral City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 15.0% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cathedral City an affordable city for renters?

Cathedral City is considered moderate for renters. At $2,321/mo, rent takes approximately 38% of the local median household income ($73,572/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Cathedral City slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Cathedral City?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $93,000/year (~$45/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,321/mo in Cathedral City. The local median household income is $73,572/yr, meaning the typical Cathedral City household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Cathedral City?

Rent in Cathedral City has decreased 15.0% over the past year as of August 2026, offering some relief compared to 12 months ago.

How does Cathedral City rent compare to other cities in California?

Cathedral City is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #293 out of 381 tracked cities at $2,321/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Cathedral City?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cathedral City ($2,321/mo): Desert Hot Springs ($2,020/mo), Palm Springs ($2,069/mo).

What percentage of Cathedral City residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 33.5% of Cathedral City households are renters, while 66.5% are owner-occupied. Cathedral City leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Cathedral City rent compare to the national average?

Cathedral City's median rent of $2,321/mo is $359 (18%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #293 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
38%
MODERATE

At $2,321/mo, rent takes ~38% of Cathedral City's median household income ($73,572/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cathedral City 38%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the Cathedral City affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Cathedral City, CA

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