How much does it cost to rent in Cathedral City, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Cathedral City, CA is $2,390. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Cathedral City cheaper than other California cities?

Cathedral City is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #284 out of 387 cities at $2,390/mo.

When was Cathedral City rent data last updated?

Cathedral City rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Cathedral City

Name: Average Rent Prices in Cathedral City, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 52,267·284th most expensive in California·Cathedral City rents have dropped 12.4%, currently a renter's market

Median rent (all units)

$2,390/mo

Year-over-Year

-12.4%

Month-over-Month

-6.5%

vs US Median

+$425

Falling (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Cathedral City · $2,390

More expensive than 76% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

81/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 16% below what Cathedral City's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,390/mo

Expected by trend

$2,836/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

Research median

$2,160/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$28,680/yr

At $2,390/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Renter's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are down 12.4% year-over-year. Push hard on price, concessions, and lease terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (-12.4% YoY, -6.5% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

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 → $2,390

down 2.8%

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 $2,390, reflecting a 2.8% 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

Discussions about Cathedral City

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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 $2,390/mo, how Cathedral City rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 25.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 36.2% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 31.5% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 17.6% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 13.8% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 38.7% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 42.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 34.8% income

stretched

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: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Cathedral City is $2,390/mo as of July 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 39% of local median household income ($73,572/yr), Cathedral City ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 12.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Cathedral City an affordable city for renters?

Cathedral City is considered moderate for renters. At $2,390/mo, rent takes approximately 39% 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 $96,000/year (~$46/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,390/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 12.4% over the past year as of July 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 #284 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,390/mo.

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

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Cathedral City ($2,390/mo): Desert Hot Springs ($1,970/mo), Palm Springs ($2,201/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 $2,390/mo is $425 (22%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #284 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

39%

MODERATE

At $2,390/mo, rent takes ~39% of Cathedral City's median household income ($73,572/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Cathedral City 39%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Cathedral City affordability calculator →

Nearby cities