How much does it cost to rent in Palm Springs, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Palm Springs, CA is $2,201. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Palm Springs cheaper than other California cities?

Palm Springs is among the more affordable cities in California, ranking #319 out of 387 cities at $2,201/mo.

When was Palm Springs rent data last updated?

Palm Springs rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Palm Springs

Name: Average Rent Prices in Palm Springs, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 45,070·319th most expensive in California·Rental market data updated monthly for Palm Springs, CA

Median rent (all units)

$2,201/mo

Year-over-Year

+4.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.8%

vs US Median

+$236

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Palm Springs · $2,201

More expensive than 69% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

78/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 14% below what Palm Springs's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,201/mo

Expected by trend

$2,565/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Palm Springs's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,785

1 BR

$1,860

2 BR

$2,315

3 BR

$3,090

4 BR+

$3,760

Research median

$2,315/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$26,412/yr

At $2,201/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 4.1% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+4.1% YoY, +1.8% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

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.

Population

45,070

Median income

$73,119

Median age

58.5

Renters

34.1%

Age distribution

14.5%

21.3%

20.9%

35.3%

Under 187.9%

18–3414.5%

35–5421.3%

55–6420.9%

65+35.3%

Gender

61.4%

38.6%

Male61.4%

Female38.6%

Race & ethnicity

66%

25.7%

White66%

Black4.5%

Hispanic25.7%

Asian5.3%

Education (25+)

16.8%

30.7%

44.5%

No HS diploma7.9%

HS diploma16.8%

Some college30.7%

Bachelor's+44.5%

Housing tenure

65.9%

34.1%

Owner65.9%

Renter34.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Palm Springs, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,560 → $2,201

up 41.1%

Income

$61,597 → $73,119

up 18.7%

Population

44,799 → 45,070

up 0.6%

Renter share

36.7% → 34.1%

-2.6 pts

Bachelor's+

43% → 44.5%

+1.5 pts

Median age

56.6 → 58.5

+1.9 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in Palm Springs, CA has increased from $1,560 to $2,201, a 41.1% 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.

Community

Discussions about Palm Springs

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View Palm Springs rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Palm Springs on your salary?

At $2,201/mo, how Palm Springs rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 23.7% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 33.4% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 29% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 16.2% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 12.7% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 35.6% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 39.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 32% income

stretched

By apartment size

Palm Springs rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Palm Springs. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Palm Springs

About renting in Palm Springs, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Palm Springs is $2,201/mo as of July 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 36% of local median household income ($73,119/yr), Palm Springs ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Palm Springs an affordable city for renters?

Palm Springs is considered moderate for renters. At $2,201/mo, rent takes approximately 36% of the local median household income ($73,119/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Palm Springs slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Palm Springs?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $88,000/year (~$42/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,201/mo in Palm Springs. The local median household income is $73,119/yr, meaning the typical Palm Springs household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Palm Springs?

Rent in Palm Springs has increased 4.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Palm Springs neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Palm Springs are 92262 ($2,111/mo), and 92264 ($2,325/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Palm Springs is $2,201/mo.

How does Palm Springs rent compare to other cities in California?

Palm Springs is one of the more affordable cities in California for rent, ranking #319 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,201/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Palm Springs?

Desert Hot Springs is nearby and more affordable at $1,970/mo, which is $231 less than Palm Springs.

What percentage of Palm Springs residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 34.1% of Palm Springs households are renters, while 65.9% are owner-occupied. Palm Springs leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Palm Springs rent compare to the national average?

Palm Springs's median rent of $2,201/mo is $236 (12%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #319 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

36%

MODERATE

At $2,201/mo, rent takes ~36% of Palm Springs's median household income ($73,119/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Palm Springs 36%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Palm Springs affordability calculator →

Nearby cities