Palm Springs, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Palm Springs is a mid-size city in California with a population of 44,998. Residents earn $71,979 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
44,998 Population 476/sq mi density
$71,979 Median Income $64,811 per capita
$567,300 Home Value $622,568 Zillow
$1,473 Median Rent 37.4% income on rent
75°F Avg Temperature
632 Violent Crime/100K 5,833 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$71,979 median income, 4.1% unemployment
C
Affordability
2.2 / 5.0
$567,300 home value, $1,473/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
632 violent crimes/100K (66% above avg)
A+
Education
4.6 / 5.0
45.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,979
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $567,300
101% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 632/100K
66% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 45.1%
34% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,473
27% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.6%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

How Palm Springs Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population44,998
Median Age57.8 yrs
Density476/mi²
Male / Female61% / 40%
Largest GroupWhite 69%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,979
Per Capita$64,811
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$134,757M
Commute23 min

Housing

C
Home Value$567,300
Rent$1,473
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$622,568
Rent Burden37.4%

Crime

F
Violent632/100K
Property5,833/100K
Murder6.4/100K
Assault358/100K
Burglary1,704/100K

Health

Obesity35.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.5%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp75°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain5.1 in/yr
Elevation436 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+45.1%
High School+93.1%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 48%
Commute23 min
EV Stations75
Libraries60

Is Palm Springs a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Palm Springs receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, high housing costs. Palm Springs offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Palm Springs is $71,979, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Palm Springs is $567,300, making it a premium housing market at 101% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,473 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 7.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

With 632 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,833 per 100,000, 198% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 45.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Palm Springs has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 75°F. Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 93°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 5.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Palm Springs has a population of 44,998 with a density of 476 people per square mile. The median age is 57.8 years, 49% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (69.3%), with 2.1% Hispanic, 5.4% Black.

Population

44,998
Total Population
476
People / sq mi
57.8yrs
Median Age
49% above US avg
94.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 60.5%
Female 39.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Palm Springs vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only76.9%
2% below US avg
Spanish23.1%
72% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Palm Springs vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Palm Springs is $71,979, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Palm Springs vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,979
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$64,811
Avg Weekly Wage$1,149
IRS Avg AGI$72,983

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)86,446
County GDP$134,757M

Business (County)

Restaurants4,533
Healthcare5,585
Retail5,636
Manufacturing1,632

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.21%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.3 min
Work from Home24.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Palm Springs is $567,300, 101% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,473 (27% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $622,568.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$567,300
101% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$622,568
Median List Price$748,888

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$748,888
$/Sq Ft$398
Homes Sold139
Sale-to-List Ratio97.2%
Price Drops26.2%
Inventory808

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,473
27% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,104
Rent Burden37.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,854
96% above US avg
Effective Rate1.21%
In Palm Springs, 35.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.5% report depression. 21.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Palm Springs vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.6%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure31.3%
Asthma9.2%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.6%
Physical Inactivity21.8%
Depression22.5%
Mental Distress16.9%
Physical Distress12.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate70.9%
Premature Death7,817/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access89.8%
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Palm Springs has a violent crime rate of 632 per 100,000 residents, 66% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,833 per 100,000 (198% above US avg). The murder rate is 6.4 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Palm Springs vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent632.2/100K
66% above US avg
Murder6.4/100K
2% above US avg
Rape60.0/100K
Robbery207.9/100K
Assault357.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,833.1/100K
198% above US avg
Burglary1,703.6/100K
Theft3,683.7/100K
Vehicle Theft445.7/100K
Arson40.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)341
FEMA Disasters910

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Palm Springs has an average annual temperature of 75°F (24°C). Winters average 59°F in January while summers reach 93°F in July. Annual precipitation is 5.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

59°F Jan (15°C) 93°F Jul (34°C)
Annual Average75.2°F
39% above US avg
January Average59°F (15°C)
July Average93°F (34°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall5.1 inches
87% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation436 ft (133 m)
Area94.5 sq mi (244.9 km²)
Population Density476/sq mi
Coordinates33.8034°N, 116.5383°W
County FIPS06065
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 45.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (34% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 49.3%
D 48%

Winner: Republican by 1.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+45.1%
34% above US avg
High School+93.1%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (4.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density476/sq mi
Total Area94.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations75
Alt Fuel Stations82
Public Libraries60
Healthcare Facilities5,585
Restaurants4,533
Retail Stores5,636

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)341
FEMA Disaster Declarations910
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.3 min
Work from Home24.9%

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