Studio Apartment Rent in Palm Desert, CA
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Palm Desert, California as of August 2026. That's +29% lower than the citywide median of $2,615 and +45% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio 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 studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florin | $738 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $864 |
| 3 | Taft | $870 |
| 4 | Lakeport | $890 |
| 5 | El Centro | $910 |
| 6 | Barstow | $915 |
| 7 | Red Bluff | $930 |
| 8 | California City | $940 |
| 9 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 10 | Paradise | $970 |
| 11 | Eureka | $980 |
| 12 | Oroville | $985 |
| 13 | Fortuna | $990 |
| 14 | Florence-Graham | $1,029 |
| 15 | Porterville | $1,050 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in California
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Cruz | $3,520 |
| 2 | Scotts Valley | $3,420 |
| 3 | Aptos | $3,420 |
| 4 | Cupertino | $3,410 |
| 5 | Coronado | $3,190 |
| 6 | Ladera Ranch | $3,140 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,130 |
| 8 | Foster City | $3,130 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $3,102 |
| 10 | Capitola | $3,100 |
| 11 | Sunnyvale | $3,010 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,000 |
| 13 | Irvine | $3,000 |
| 14 | Solana Beach | $2,970 |
| 15 | Saratoga | $2,910 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Palm Desert.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Palm Desert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rancho Mirage, CA | 4.8 mi | $1,850 | $-15 (-1%) |
| Cathedral City, CA | 8.8 mi | $1,660 | $-205 (-11%) |
| La Quinta, CA | 9.3 mi | $1,880 | +$15 (+1%) |
| Indio, CA | 9.9 mi | $1,715 | $-150 (-8%) |
| Desert Hot Springs, CA | 11.4 mi | $1,370 | $-495 (-27%) |
| Palm Springs, CA | 11.7 mi | $1,785 | $-80 (-4%) |
| Joshua Tree, CA | 30.3 mi | $1,370 | $-495 (-27%) |
| Yucca Valley, CA | 31.3 mi | $1,370 | $-495 (-27%) |
| Banning, CA | 35.2 mi | $1,490 | $-375 (-20%) |
| San Jacinto, CA | 39.1 mi | $1,480 | $-385 (-21%) |
| Hemet, CA | 41.3 mi | $1,557 | $-308 (-17%) |
| Beaumont, CA | 45.1 mi | $1,620 | $-245 (-13%) |
Studio rent in Palm Desert — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Palm Desert?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Palm Desert, California is $1,865 per month. This is +29% below the citywide median of $2,615.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Palm Desert?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $74,600 ($6,217/month gross), which works out to roughly $35.87/hour at a full-time job.
Is Palm Desert expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Palm Desert's studio median of $1,865 is +45% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 83th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Palm Desert rank for studio rent in California?
Among the 378 cities in California with studio data, Palm Desert ranks #159 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Palm Desert?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Rancho Mirage ($1,850), Cathedral City ($1,660), Indio ($1,715).