2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Palm Desert, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Palm Desert, California as of October 2026. That's +12% lower than the citywide median of $2,749 and +46% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Palm Desert.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Palm Desert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.8 mi | $2,400 | $-20 (-1%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 8.8 mi | $2,160 | $-260 (-11%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,440 | +$20 (+1%) |
| Indio, CA | 9.9 mi | $2,230 | $-190 (-8%) |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | 11.4 mi | $1,810 | $-610 (-25%) |
| Palm Springs, CA | 11.7 mi | $2,315 | $-105 (-4%) |
| Joshua Tree, CA | 30.3 mi | $1,810 | $-610 (-25%) |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 31.3 mi | $1,810 | $-610 (-25%) |
| Banning, CA | 35.2 mi | $1,930 | $-490 (-20%) |
| San Jacinto, CA | 39.1 mi | $1,920 | $-500 (-21%) |
| Hemet, CA | 41.3 mi | $2,023 | $-397 (-16%) |
| Beaumont, CA | 45.1 mi | $2,110 | $-310 (-13%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Palm Desert — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Palm Desert?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Palm Desert, California is $2,420 per month. This is +12% below the citywide median of $2,749.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Palm Desert?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $96,800 ($8,067/month gross), which works out to roughly $46.54/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palm Desert expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Palm Desert's 2-bedroom median of $2,420 is +46% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 83th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palm Desert rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Palm Desert ranks #133 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Palm Desert?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Rancho Mirage ($2,400), Cathedral City ($2,160), Indio ($2,230).