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Palm Desert, California Retirement Guide
60
Retirement Score
Palm Desert, California at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $452,000
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.
- Avg January Low
- 43.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 112.6 (US avg = 100)
- Best For
- N/A
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 60 / 100
Retirement Data
Affordability
Cost of Living Index
112.6 (U.S. avg = 100)High confidence
BEA Regional Price Parities · Updated May 2026
Median Home Price
$452,000High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Monthly Rent
$1,564High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Taxes
Retirement Tax Score
30 / 100High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Tax Details
State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; pension and retirement income generally taxable.High confidence
Tax Foundation · Updated June 2026
Retiree Readiness (Sprint 2)
Care Access Score (proxy)
100 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Aging-in-Place Score (proxy)
38.7 / 100High confidence
RetireCityIQ proxy model · Updated June 2026
Healthcare
Healthcare Access Score
100 / 100High confidence
CMS Hospital General Information + RetireCityIQ nearest-hospital radius model · Updated June 2026
Climate
Avg July High
77°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Avg January Low
43.4°FHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Annual Precipitation
18"High confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Sunny Days / Year
326 daysHigh confidence
RetireCityIQ state median imputation after Open-Meteo coverage gaps · Updated May 2026
Safety
Safety Score
82.3 / 100High confidence
FBI Crime Data Explorer · Updated June 2026
Walkability
Walk Score (proxy)
11.8 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Transit Score (proxy)
3.4 / 100High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year (B08301) · Updated June 2026
Demographics
Population
51,290High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Age
55.2High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Age 65+
36.1%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Median Household Income
$75,691High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Community Profile
Owner-Occupied Housing
66.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Veterans
7.4%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Bachelor's Degree+
39.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Poverty Rate
12.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Diversity
White
70.8%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Black
2.9%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Hispanic/Latino
24.0%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
Asian
4.3%High confidence
U.S. Census ACS 5-Year · Updated June 2026
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Palm Desert using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$979
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,100
Median home price used: $452,000
Median rent reference: $1,564 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
HARDWORKING CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC
CYPRESS WEALTH SERVICES, LLC
FORTEM FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC
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