Palm Desert 51 Poor
Palm Desert Livability #1,088 ranked city in California#25,241 ranked city in the USARanks better than 13% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Palm Desert

PROS
  • Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Ratings

    AreaVibes collected feedback from local residents in the area through surveys and polls, and the results did not show a favorable view of things like local amenities and the safety of the area.

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What's it like Living in Palm Desert?

Located in the state of California, Palm Desert is a medium-sized city with a population of 53,087 inhabitants. The majority of Palm Desert residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Asian and Black. Palm Desert is considered to be a city with an aging population. The average age of all residents is 55, which is well beyond the United States median age average. If you're not a fan of traffic congestion and long commute times to work, Palm Desert is the place to be. Commutes to work here are shorter, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, significantly lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Palm Desert is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before moving to any new city in California, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. To help you find the best places to live in and around Palm Desert, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, employment and more.

With a livability score of 52/100, Palm Desert is ranked #24,440 in the United States and #1,037 in California. This score ranks well below the US average. With such a low livability score, it might be worth investigating a little further. For each of the livability categories, we know that Palm Desert ranks very well for education (A) and employment (B). Regrettably for Palm Desert, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (F) and cost of living (F).

The Palm Desert unemployment rate of 2.19% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

Palm Desert real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Palm Desert. Median real estate prices in Palm Desert come in at $361,200, which is 11.8% lower than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Palm Desert, the home price to income ratio is 5.6, which is 12.5% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Palm Desert

See all the best places to live around Palm Desert

How Do You Rate The Livability In Palm Desert?

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Compare Palm Desert, CA Livability

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      Palm Desert transportation information

      Statistic Palm Desert California National
      Average one way commute20min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work69.2%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool13.7%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.5%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.7%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.6%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home10.8%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Palm Desert, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).