1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Palm Desert, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Palm Desert, California as of July 2026. That's +26% lower than the citywide median of $2,638 and +39% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Palm Desert
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Palm Desert
Compare Palm Desert's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Palm Desert.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Palm Desert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.8 mi | $1,930 | $-15 (-1%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 8.8 mi | $1,740 | $-205 (-11%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 9.3 mi | $1,960 | +$15 (+1%) |
| Indio, CA | 9.9 mi | $1,790 | $-155 (-8%) |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | 11.4 mi | $1,450 | $-495 (-25%) |
| Palm Springs, CA | 11.7 mi | $1,860 | $-85 (-4%) |
| Joshua Tree, CA | 30.3 mi | $1,450 | $-495 (-25%) |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 31.3 mi | $1,450 | $-495 (-25%) |
| Banning, CA | 35.2 mi | $1,550 | $-395 (-20%) |
| San Jacinto, CA | 39.1 mi | $1,540 | $-405 (-21%) |
| Hemet, CA | 41.3 mi | $1,623 | $-322 (-17%) |
| Beaumont, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,690 | $-255 (-13%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Palm Desert — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Palm Desert?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Palm Desert, California is $1,945 per month. This is +26% below the citywide median of $2,638.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Palm Desert?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $77,800 ($6,483/month gross), which works out to roughly $37.40/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palm Desert expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Palm Desert's 1-bedroom median of $1,945 is +39% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 81th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palm Desert rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Palm Desert ranks #135 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Palm Desert?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Rancho Mirage ($1,930), Cathedral City ($1,740), Indio ($1,790).