Rents are 20% below what Palm Springs's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,069 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 →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Palm Springs, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 44.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Palm Springs, CA has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Palm Springs, CA has increased from $1,560 to $2,069, a 32.6% change over five years. Household income in the area moved from $61,597 to $73,119 across the same window, up 18.7% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. Renters now make up 34.1% of households, compared with 36.7% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in Palm Springs, CA look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in Palm Springs on your salary?
At $2,069/mo, how Palm Springs rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Palm Springs rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Palm Springs. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Palm Springs
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Palm Springs is $2,069/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,785/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,315/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,860/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,090/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($73,119/yr), Palm Springs ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 2.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Palm Springs an affordable city for renters?
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Which Palm Springs neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
How does Palm Springs rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Palm Springs?
What percentage of Palm Springs residents rent vs. own?
How does Palm Springs rent compare to the national average?
At $2,069/mo, rent takes ~34% of Palm Springs's median household income ($73,119/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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