ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 92252

Part of Joshua Tree, CA

Pop. 7,538·San Bernardino County·801st most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$2,014/mo

Year-over-Year

+16.4%

Month-over-Month

+1.1%

vs US Median

+$82

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 92252 · $2,014

More expensive than 62% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,600

1 BR

$1,670

2 BR

$2,080

3 BR

$2,780

4 BR+

$3,380

Research median

$2,080/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: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 92252 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 92252 changed +16.4% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 2 months in a row, and rose in 7 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($66,598) is $1,665 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a studio ($1,600); a 1-bedroom is $1,670.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 92252. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$24,168/yr

At $2,014/mo median

Location

CityJoshua Tree

StateCA

CountySan Bernardino County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 16.4% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+16.4% YoY, +1.1% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 92252 (Joshua Tree, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, 28.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

7,538

Median income

$66,598

Median age

44.6

Renters

32.7%

Age distribution

16.2%

22.9%

25.2%

14.2%

21.5%

Under 1816.2%

18–3422.9%

35–5425.2%

55–6414.2%

65+21.5%

Gender

48.2%

51.8%

Male48.2%

Female51.8%

Race & ethnicity

67.4%

23.9%

White67.4%

Black2.7%

Hispanic23.9%

Asian2.5%

Other3.5%

Education (25+)

20.7%

41.3%

28.1%

No HS diploma9.9%

HS diploma20.7%

Some college41.3%

Bachelor's+28.1%

Housing tenure

67.3%

32.7%

Owner67.3%

Renter32.7%

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

2023 vs 2026

How ZIP 92252 in Joshua Tree, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,344 → $2,014

up 49.9%

Income

$49,032 → $66,598

up 35.8%

Population

8,797 → 7,538

down 14.3%

Renter share

40.8% → 32.7%

-8.1 pts

Bachelor's+

20.6% → 28.1%

+7.5 pts

Median age

40.9 → 44.6

+3.7 yrs

Since 2023, the typical rent in ZIP 92252 in Joshua Tree, CA has climbed from $1,344 to $2,014, a 49.9% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $66,598 today, compared with $49,032 five years earlier. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 14.3% since 2021, moving from about 8,797 residents to roughly 7,538. Renters now make up 32.7% of households, compared with 40.8% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 28.1% of adults here, versus 20.6% in 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2023.

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About renting in ZIP 92252

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 92252 covers Joshua Tree, CA. The median rent here is $2,014/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,670/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,080/mo.

At 36% of local median household income ($66,598/yr), ZIP 92252 ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 16.4% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 92252?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $81,000/year (about $39/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,014/mo in ZIP 92252. The local median household income is $66,598/yr, so the typical household falls short of that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 92252?

Rent in ZIP 92252 has risen 16.4% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in February 2023.

How does ZIP 92252 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 92252 is one of the more affordable among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #801 of 898 at $2,014/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 92252 changed +16.4%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.