City Report · CA

La Quinta

Pop. 38,707·69th most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US
Median rent (all units)
$3,598/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.3%
Month-over-Month
-3.9%
vs US Median
+$1,636
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
La Quinta · $3,598
More expensive than 96% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
78/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what La Quinta's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$3,598/mo
Expected by trend
$4,175/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where La Quinta's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,880
1 BR
$1,960
2 BR
$2,440
3 BR
$3,260
4 BR+
$3,960
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,440/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,598 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
$43,176/yr
At $3,598/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Renter's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are softening (up only 4.3% YoY), so renters have negotiating leverage.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.3% YoY, -3.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

La Quinta, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 40% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,707
Median income
$99,250
Median age
53.3
Renters
24.3%
Age distribution
16.5%
15.5%
19.9%
16.4%
31.6%
Under 1816.5%
18–3415.5%
35–5419.9%
55–6416.4%
65+31.6%
Gender
51.2%
48.8%
Male51.2%
Female48.8%
Race & ethnicity
58.9%
36.6%
White58.9%
Black1.5%
Hispanic36.6%
Asian4.3%
Education (25+)
21.4%
31.4%
40%
No HS diploma7.3%
HS diploma21.4%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+40%
Housing tenure
75.7%
24.3%
Owner75.7%
Renter24.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How La Quinta, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent
$2,394 → $3,598
up 50.3%
Income
$83,412 → $99,250
up 19.0%
Population
37,846 → 38,707
up 2.3%
Renter share
27.3% → 24.3%
-3.0 pts
Bachelor's+
35% → 40%
+5.0 pts
Median age
49.6 → 53.3
+3.7 yrs

Rent in La Quinta, CA has increased 50.3% since 2021, going from about $2,394 per month to roughly $3,598 today. Census figures show median household income at $99,250 today, compared with $83,412 five years earlier. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 31.3 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. Headcount in the area went from 37,846 to 38,707 between 2021 and 2024, a 2.3% change. About 24.3% of households rent today, against 27.3% in 2021. Educational attainment has shifted as well, with the share of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbed from 35% to 40%. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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View La Quinta rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in La Quinta on your salary?

At $3,598/mo, how La Quinta rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

La Quinta rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in La Quinta. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in La Quinta

About renting in La Quinta, CA

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in La Quinta is $3,598/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,880/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,440/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,960/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,260/mo.

At 44% of local median household income ($99,250/yr), La Quinta ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is La Quinta an affordable city for renters?

La Quinta is considered stretched for renters. At $3,598/mo, rent takes approximately 44% of the local median household income ($99,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. La Quinta significantly exceeds that threshold, making it challenging for many renters.

How much income do you need to rent in La Quinta?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $144,000/year (~$69/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $3,598/mo in La Quinta. The local median household income is $99,250/yr, meaning the typical La Quinta household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in La Quinta?

Rent in La Quinta has increased 4.3% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does La Quinta rent compare to other cities in California?

La Quinta is one of the pricier cities in California for rent, ranking #69 out of 381 tracked cities at $3,598/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than La Quinta?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than La Quinta ($3,598/mo): Desert Hot Springs ($2,020/mo), Cathedral City ($2,321/mo), Indio ($2,413/mo).

What percentage of La Quinta residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 24.3% of La Quinta households are renters, while 75.7% are owner-occupied. La Quinta leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does La Quinta rent compare to the national average?

La Quinta's median rent of $3,598/mo is $1,636 (83%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within California, it ranks #69 out of 381 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
44%
STRETCHED

At $3,598/mo, rent takes ~44% of La Quinta's median household income ($99,250/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

La Quinta 44%Benchmark 30%
State income tax1–13.3%
Run the La Quinta affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

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