3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Palm Desert, CA
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Palm Desert, California as of July 2026. That's +22% higher than the citywide median of $2,638 and +52% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | $1,492 |
| 2 | Taft | $1,600 |
| 3 | Barstow | $1,639 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $1,650 |
| 5 | Westmont | $1,663 |
| 6 | California City | $1,720 |
| 7 | Clearlake | $1,750 |
| 8 | Red Bluff | $1,780 |
| 9 | El Centro | $1,820 |
| 10 | Florence-Graham | $1,835 |
| 11 | Oroville | $1,840 |
| 12 | Paradise | $1,860 |
| 13 | Florin | $1,875 |
| 14 | Isla Vista | $1,904 |
| 15 | Eureka | $1,910 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in California
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $6,055 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $5,870 |
| 3 | Aptos | $5,870 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $5,850 |
| 5 | Coronado | $5,720 |
| 6 | Foster City | $5,690 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $5,380 |
| 8 | Capitola | $5,340 |
| 9 | Solana Beach | $5,330 |
| 10 | Tiburon | $5,250 |
| 11 | Ladera Ranch | $5,250 |
| 12 | Newport Beach | $5,178 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $5,173 |
| 14 | Coto de Caza | $5,130 |
| 15 | Millbrae | $5,080 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Palm Desert.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Palm Desert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.8 mi | $3,200 | $-30 (-1%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 8.8 mi | $2,880 | $-350 (-11%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 9.3 mi | $3,260 | +$30 (+1%) |
| Indio, CA | 9.9 mi | $2,975 | $-255 (-8%) |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | 11.4 mi | $2,440 | $-790 (-24%) |
| Palm Springs, CA | 11.7 mi | $3,090 | $-140 (-4%) |
| Joshua Tree, CA | 30.3 mi | $2,440 | $-790 (-24%) |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 31.3 mi | $2,440 | $-790 (-24%) |
| Banning, CA | 35.2 mi | $2,580 | $-650 (-20%) |
| San Jacinto, CA | 39.1 mi | $2,560 | $-670 (-21%) |
| Hemet, CA | 41.3 mi | $2,703 | $-527 (-16%) |
| Beaumont, CA | 45.1 mi | $2,820 | $-410 (-13%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Palm Desert — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Palm Desert?
As of July 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Palm Desert, California is $3,230 per month. This is +22% higher than the citywide median of $2,638.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Palm Desert?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $129,200 ($10,767/month gross), which works out to roughly $62.12/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palm Desert expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Palm Desert's 3-bedroom median of $3,230 is +52% above the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 86th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palm Desert rank for 3-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 386 cities in California with 3-bedroom data, Palm Desert ranks #137 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Palm Desert?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Rancho Mirage ($3,200), Cathedral City ($2,880), Indio ($2,975).