Living in Palm Springs, CA

Palm Springs is a desert city that wears its palm trees, pools, and mid-century modern architecture proudly.

It’s the kind of place where the mountains frame your commute, Palm Canyon becomes a weekend ritual for visitors and locals, and the rhythm of life changes noticeably between the cooler winter months and the intense heat of summer. 

Living in Palm Springs feels part resort and part small city, with a surprisingly active arts and culture scene and a long legacy of modernist design woven into neighborhoods throughout the city.

What’s The Housing Market Like In Palm Springs?

Palm Springs real estate lives in that sweet spot between coastal California sticker shock and Midwest affordability.

Most single-family homes settle in the mid-$600,000s, while condos and townhomes often close in the low-$400,000s. Those numbers have eased a bit since the 2022 frenzy, yet prices still hover well above where they sat five years ago, proof that the desert lifestyle keeps drawing a steady stream of buyers.

Inventory runs lean, roughly three months on the market at any given time. Well-priced listings, especially anything with a pool or mid-century pedigree, tend to move fastest in winter and early spring, when visitors from cooler climates start house-hunting between golf rounds.

By comparison, Palm Desert usually lands about $50,000 lower for similar properties, and Cathedral City dips another notch, giving first-time buyers or budget-minded shoppers room to stay close to the action without the full Palm Springs price tag.

What Are The Best Neighborhoods In Palm Springs?

Downtown and North Palm Canyon are popular for walkability, restaurants, and cultural attractions like the Palm Springs Art Museum. Movie Colony and Movie Colony East are known for historic and celebrity homes with a mid-century modern pedigree. 

For quieter, suburban feels, neighborhoods near the Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City edges give more space and often newer construction. Each area has its own tradeoffs: proximity to VillageFest and restaurants in downtown, or larger lots and privacy farther out.

If you prefer modern architecture and design history, Palm Springs neighborhoods that participate in Modernism Week offer not only beautiful homes but also community preservation efforts and tours during festival weekends. Those neighborhoods tend to carry a premium because buyers pay for both design pedigree and proximity to cultural programming.

What Are The Most Popular House Types in Palm Springs?

Mid-century modern single-family homes dominate the local identity, often one-story with open floor plans, clerestory windows, and indoor-outdoor living that suits desert weather.

Smaller ranch and bungalow styles exist closer to central neighborhoods, while gated subdivisions and newer infill developments offer larger, contemporary homes with pools and private outdoor spaces.

Resort-style condos and townhomes are common for buyers seeking low-maintenance ownership; they are especially popular with seasonal residents, many retirees, and investors who rent short-term.

Throughout Palm Springs, you will also find historic Hollywood era properties and a growing number of renovated modern homes that blend vintage bones with contemporary finishes.

What Is The Cost Of Living In Palm Springs?

Palm Springs runs pricier than the U.S. average, though it still undercuts California’s big coastal cities.

Groceries come in about 9 percent higher than the national norm, and summer electricity bills jump thanks to nonstop air-conditioning. Gas prices sit roughly 15 percent above the U.S. average, yet the city’s compact grid keeps most daily drives short. Healthcare costs hover near national levels, and entertainment fluctuates with the tourist season. 

Neighboring communities show slight variations: Palm Desert is only a notch cheaper on day-to-day expenses, while Cathedral City tends to post the valley’s lowest grocery and utility numbers.

Factor in those power bills and a modest bump for groceries and fuel, and overall living costs remain manageable for many residents who value the sunshine, outdoor recreation, and laid-back pace Palm Springs offers.

Who Are The Major Employers in Palm Springs?

Tourism still signs the most paychecks here, followed closely by healthcare and tribal enterprises. Desert Regional Medical Center, Eisenhower Health, and a cluster of specialty clinics anchor the medical side. On the hospitality front, the long row of resort hotels and casinos along Palm Canyon and Highway 111 stays busy most of the year. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians rounds out the big employers with its two casinos, day spa complex, and the new cultural plaza downtown.

That mix shapes job availability: hospitality and service roles are plentiful during high tourist seasons and festival weekends, while healthcare and education provide steadier year-round work.

If you plan to live in Palm Springs and commute to work elsewhere in the Coachella Valley, know that the primary economic driver is hospitality and visitor services, with a secondary layer of healthcare, government, and education jobs.

Is It Easy To Commute in Palm Springs?

Driving remains the most common and convenient way to get around. Palm Springs is compact compared with many Southern California cities, but traffic can concentrate around tourist corridors and special events.

Public transit is available through SunLine Transit Agency, which runs fixed bus routes and commuter links connecting Palm Springs with neighboring cities; schedules support regular commuting but are not as frequent as urban transit systems.

For riders, SunLine’s commuter and microtransit options provide low-cost regional connections.

Biking is possible in some pockets, particularly near downtown and along designated bike routes, though heat in the summer months limits daytime use. 

How are the Schools in the Palm Springs Area?

Public schools here fall under Palm Springs Unified, a district that covers about 20 campuses in and around the city. Palm Springs High graduates roughly 9 out of 10 seniors, a touch higher than the state average, and its arts academy draws plenty of local buzz. Up the road, Rancho Mirage High and Desert Hot Springs High show steady gains in test scores and give families extra options near the city line.

On the elementary side, neighborhood campuses like Katherine Finchy get good marks in basic skills, while magnets such as Vista del Monte offer Spanish-English immersion starting in kindergarten.

Charter and private outlets, including the STEM-focused Palm Springs Academy and Palm Valley School in nearby Rancho Mirage, round out the menu. Because boundaries shift and performance can vary year to year, most parents tour the campuses and check the latest state Dashboard reports before deciding where to land.

Is Palm Springs A Safe Place To Live?

Palm Springs posts crime numbers that land between big-city California averages and the quieter towns elsewhere in the Coachella Valley.

The city’s year-end 2024 police report counted about 4.5 violent incidents per 1,000 residents, lower than state hot spots like Los Angeles, but higher than nearby Palm Desert. Property crime sits in the mid-20s per 1,000, with most incidents involving thefts from cars or short-term rentals during peak tourist months.

Locals keep risk in perspective. Downtown and resort corridors see the heaviest police visibility, especially on VillageFest nights and festival weekends. Neighborhood watch groups and a Citizens on Patrol program add extra sets of eyes in residential areas, while the city’s online crime map lets residents check recent reports by block.

As in any desert town, locking doors, keeping valuables out of sight, and getting to know neighbors go a long way toward everyday peace of mind.

What’s The Community Like in Palm Springs?

Palm Springs blends resort culture, design tourism, and a year-round local community.

You’ll find many homeowners who live here full time, seasonal residents who split time between cooler and warmer months, and a significant retiree population drawn to the climate and amenities. The social fabric includes arts organizations, design enthusiasts, outdoor-focused groups, and a lively calendar of festivals and cultural events that keep the city active beyond purely tourist hours.

The city’s “resort city” feel doesn’t mean it lacks everyday services. There are neighborhood grocery stores, coffee shops, medical services, and local civic groups that create routine life. People who like Palm Springs often cite the slower pace compared with dense urban areas, the easy access to outdoor activities, and the accessible cultural calendar.

What Are The Best Things To Do In Palm Springs?

Outdoor activities are a major draw. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you nearly two miles up Chino Canyon to cooler alpine trails and a network of hiking trails on Mount San Jacinto; it’s a reliable getaway from the valley floor and a singular local amenity.

The city’s arts and culture scene centers on the Palm Springs Art Museum and periodic festivals like Modernism Week, which celebrate mid-century modern architecture and design and attract enthusiasts from around the country. There are also neighborhood street fairs, live music venues, a solid restaurant scene, and nearby natural getaways such as Joshua Tree National Park for serious hiking and rock climbing.

The palm trees, warm weather, and architecture create a distinctive desert culture you won’t find in many places outside California.

FAQs About What It's Like Living in Palm Springs

What neighborhoods are best if I want classic mid-century modern architecture?

Look at Movie Colony, Racquet Club Estates, and areas around North Palm Canyon for concentrations of mid-century modern homes and easy access to Modernism Week tours. These neighborhoods usually command a premium because of architectural pedigree and proximity to downtown cultural amenities.

How hot does it get in the summer, and is it unbearable?

Summers in Palm Springs are famously hot with low humidity; locals adapt by scheduling outdoor activities for morning and evening, using pools and shaded patios, and relying on air conditioning during peak hours. The area averages very high numbers of sunny days annually, which is great for winter visitors but means summer heat is an unavoidable tradeoff.

Are there good day-trip getaways nearby?

Yes. Joshua Tree National Park is a common natural escape with many hiking trails and rock climbing, and small desert towns and other Coachella Valley cities like Palm Desert and La Quinta are quick drives for shopping, dining, and golf. The aerial tramway also offers an alpine-style day trip without leaving the valley.

Is it expensive to rent or buy in Palm Springs compared with the national average?

Housing costs push the overall cost of living higher than the national average. Average rents and home values are higher than in many U.S. markets, though they vary widely by neighborhood, property type, and season; budgeting for premium housing costs is prudent.

How active is the arts and culture scene?

Very active for a city of its size. The Palm Springs Art Museum, Modernism Week, film festivals, gallery openings, and frequent live music offerings create a consistently lively culture scene. If architecture and design matter to you, Palm Springs offers unusually strong programming.

What transportation options are there besides driving?

SunLine Transit Agency operates fixed-route buses, commuter links, and microtransit options throughout the Coachella Valley, making regional travel possible without a car, though schedules are sparser than in major metros. Biking and walking are practical in certain neighborhoods, especially downtown.

Is Palm Springs a good place to be a homeowner year-round?

Many homeowners live in Palm Springs full-time and enjoy a resort-like lifestyle along with everyday services. Others buy for seasonal ownership or rental investment. Consider local property tax, homeowner association fees, where applicable, and the rental market seasonality when deciding whether homeownership is the right fit.

Sources

• Riverside County Office of Economic Development — major employers listing

• SunLine Transit Agency — routes, schedules, commuter links

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — official site

• Palm Springs Art Museum — collections and architecture programs

Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or tax advice. Real estate transactions can have significant financial and legal implications, and each situation is unique. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with qualified professionals—including a licensed lender, accountant, attorney, local municipal resources, and/or financial advisor—before making any decisions related to mortgages, loans, taxes, contracts, or real estate transactions. The Paul Kaplan Group and its agents make no guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the information provided, and assume no liability for actions taken in reliance upon it.