Cost of Living in Palm Desert, CA
Cost indexes, living wages, and fair market rents — 2024 Data
Cost of Living Overview
Overall Index
148.4
100 = national avg
+48.4 vs national average
Living Wage (1 Adult)
$65,291
per year
Living Wage (Family of 4)
$154,324
per year
Cost Index by Category
Housing213.3
Food110.8
Transportation100.8
Healthcare108.6
Utilities129.1
100 = national average. Higher = more expensive.
Fair Market Rent
Source: HUD1 Bedroom
$1,777
per month
2 Bedroom
$2,201
per month
The overall cost of living index in Palm Desert is 148.4, which is 48.4% above the national average. Housing costs are above the national average at an index of 213.3. A single adult needs to earn approximately $65,291 per year to cover basic expenses.