City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Palm Springs, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Palm Springs - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

44,998
Residents
$71,979
Median income
$567,300
Median home
$2,201
Median rent (state)

Palm Springs - the verdict

Nationally, Palm Springs sits in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 8th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
88th
percentile, home value
86th
percentile, median rent
8th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Palm Springs, CA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 44,998 residents in Palm Springs, a small city within California. Palm Springs households earn a median of $71,979 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.2%. Palm Springs's housing stock carries a median value of $567,300, and the median resident age is 57.8 years. Educational attainment runs 45.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 46.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 114 residential building permits were authorized in Palm Springs (Construction Slowdown), down 45% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Palm Springs's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 3816.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 75.1°F with 5.1 inches of precipitation per year.

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $2,201 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts California's average monthly utility costs around $275 (state average). Workers in Palm Springs report an average commute of 17.5 minutes, with 62.0% driving alone and 24.9% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 99.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

44,998 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$71,979 /yr

Poverty 8.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Palm Springs compare to other US cities?

Palm Springs measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 88% pricier than other cities
Median rent 86% pricier than other cities
Safety 8% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Palm Springs ranks #408 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Palm Springs's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in California, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

52ndIncome percentile
8thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 8th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Palm Springs's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Palm Springs's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 24 Avg. percentile National median
Palm Springs's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Palm Springs's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$567,300 12th percentile more affordable than 12% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Palm Springs $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Palm Springs, CA Palm Springs, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Palm Springs, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Palm Springs, CA median $71,979/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Palm Springs, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Palm Springs, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
44,998
Median Income
$71,979
Median Home Value
$567,300
Median Age
57.8
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Labor force participation
46.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3816.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
603.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3213.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
75.1°F
Annual Precipitation
5.1"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
44,500 residents45,000 residents45,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 44,642 residents 45,315 residents ▲ +1.5%
Palm Springs's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
114
housing units authorized
Single-Family
94
detached homes
Multifamily
20
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 208
2020 132
2021 288
2022 263
2023 123
2024 114

Permit volume decreased 45% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.5 minutes
Drive Alone
62.0%
Carpool
7.2%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
2.6%
Work from Home
24.9%
Other
1.9%

Based on 19,079 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Palm Springs sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,201/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Morgan Hill
45,152 people
Rohnert Park
44,461 people
Oakley
44,311 people
El Centro
44,186 people
Lompoc
43,819 people
Danville
43,426 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Palm Springs's 44,998 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Shakopee, MN
45,002 people
Lake Ridge, VA
45,007 people
Clermont, FL
44,984 people
Sherman, TX
45,036 people
Riverton, UT
44,944 people
Pearl, HI
45,079 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Palm Springs's $71,979 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Holland, IA
$71,979 median income
Woodlyn, PA
$71,978 median income
Browns Mills, NJ
$71,975 median income
Bolivar Peninsula, TX
$71,970 median income
Memphis, FL
$71,967 median income
Reedsburg, WI
$71,991 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Palm Springs, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Palm Springs, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.3% 6.9% 12.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 24.3% White 69.3% Black or African American 5.4% Asian 4.5% American Indian 0.9% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 6.9% Two or more races 12.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Palm Springs compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Palm Springs (this city) 44,998 $71,979
Morgan Hill 45,152 $159,758
Rohnert Park 44,461 $96,635
Oakley 44,311 $132,067
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Palm Springs, CA?

What is the population of Palm Springs, CA? +

Palm Springs, CA has a population of 44,998 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Palm Springs, CA? +

In Palm Springs, the typical household earns $71,979 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Palm Springs? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Palm Springs; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Palm Springs, CA safe? +

Palm Springs has a total crime rate of 3816.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Palm Springs, CA? +

Homes in Palm Springs carry a median value of $567,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Palm Springs? +

Climate normals put Palm Springs's yearly average temperature at 75.1°F, 5.1 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.