By The Paul Kaplan Group

When it comes to desert living, Palm Springs and Palm Desert are two of the most popular choices in the Coachella Valley.  However, there's a different vibe living in each city.  Both offer unique lifestyles, amenities, and real estate options that differ from each other.   We at the Paul Kaplan Group have broken down the key factors to consider living in each community.

🌞 1. Lifestyle and Vibe

 Palm Springs  

✅ Pros: 

- Known for its mid-century modern architecture and retro charm, Palm Springs is a haven for design enthusiasts and has an artsy feel to the town.  
- The city has a vibrant social scene, with events like Modernism Week, the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and numerous LGBTQ+ events throughout the year.  
- Walkability is a big plus, especially downtown, where you’ll find trendy restaurants, boutiques, and entertainment.  
- Popular with weekenders and retirees seeking a resort-style experience.  A popular destination for group gatherings like bachelorette parties, reunions, and weddings.
- More boutique-style shopping and trendsetting retail stores.
- A variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, the Prescott Nature Preserve, surfing, horseback riding, and bike riding. 

 
❗Cons: 

- Being a hotspot for tourists, Palm Springs can get busy during peak seasons.  
- Parking in the downtown area can be a challenge.
- It can be tough to get into restaurants so reservations are typically required, especially during season
- Some neighborhoods may experience higher noise levels, especially near vacation rental properties.  
- Not as many "big box" stores or retail chains.
- Not as many activities for small kids

👉 Average Age:  55 years  
👉 Population: Approximately 45,000  

Palm Desert

  
✅ Pros:

- Palm Desert offers a slightly more laid-back and residential atmosphere compared to Palm Springs.  
- El Paseo Shopping District is a premier destination for upscale dining, high-end boutiques, and art galleries.  
- The city caters well to families and retirees, with more gated communities and country clubs offering resort-style living.  
- Home to the McCallum Theatre and other cultural attractions, providing entertainment options beyond nightlife.  
- All the typical big-box shopping that you find in most larger metropolitan areas in the USA
- Excellent hiking opportunities.
- The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

❗Cons: 

- Palm Desert can feel more suburban, which may not appeal to those looking for a more lively or artsy atmosphere.  
- Less walkable than Palm Springs, as many neighborhoods are more spread out.  

👉 **Average Age:** 50 years  
👉 **Population:** Approximately 53,000  

🏡 2. Real Estate Options and Architecture

 Palm Springs  

✅ Pros:

- Mid-century modern homes are the hallmark of Palm Springs real estate, attracting buyers who appreciate sleek lines, open floor plans, and indoor-outdoor living.  
- Neighborhoods like Racquet Club Estates, Twin Palms, and Vista Las Palmas offer iconic mid-century properties.  
- Popular with investors seeking vacation rental properties due to high demand from tourists.  

Search for Palm Springs Homes Here

❗Cons: 

- Prices for mid-century homes can be higher due to demand and historical value.  
- Short-term rental regulations have tightened in recent years, which may affect investors.
- Prices tend to be slightly higher in Palm Springs over Palm Desert

💰 **Median Home Price:** $700,000 – $1.2M for mid-century homes  
🏡 **Average HOA Fees:** Low to moderate, depending on the community  

 Palm Desert  

✅ Pros:

 
- Palm Desert offers a diverse range of real estate options, including single-family homes, townhomes, and luxury estates in gated communities and 55+ communities.  
- Many communities, such as Sun City Palm Desert and The Lakes Country Club, provide resort-style amenities including golf, tennis, and fitness facilities.  
- Newer construction homes with modern designs and energy-efficient features are more common in Palm Desert.  

Search for Palm Desert Homes Here

❗Cons: 

- Fewer iconic mid-century properties compared to Palm Springs.  
- Gated communities often come with higher HOA fees.  

💰 **Median Home Price:** $500,000 – $900,000 depending on location and amenities  
🏡 **Average HOA Fees:** Moderate to high, particularly in gated communities  


🌡️ 3. Climate and Weather

 Palm Springs  

✅ Pros: 

- Warm climate overall, with plenty of sunshine year-round.  
- Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, biking, and exploring desert landscapes.  

❗Cons:

- Temperatures can soar above 110°F in the summer, making it less desirable for full-time residents during peak summer months.
- Some areas experience intense seasonal winds  (See those windmills???) 


 Palm Desert  

✅ Pros: 

- Similar temperatures to Palm Springs, so you can enjoy outdoor living all year long.  

❗Cons: 

- Like Palm Springs, Palm Desert experiences extreme desert heat during summers.
- Some neighborhoods experience intense season winds like Palm Springs
- Some say because of all the golf courses, it can be more humid in Palm Desert than Palm Springs


🎓4. Schools and Education

Palm Springs  

✅ Pros:

- Part of the Palm Springs Unified School District with a range of public, charter, and private school options.  
- Offers arts-focused programs and a growing number of STEM-focused initiatives.  
- College of the Desert is currently building a campus in Central Palm Springs


Palm Desert  

✅ Pros:

- Served by the Desert Sands Unified School District, which is known for strong academic performance.  
- Home to College of the Desert, providing higher education and continuing education programs.
- Cal State San Bernardino has a annex campus in Palm Desert  


🏌️‍♂️5. Golf, Country Clubs, and Amenities

Palm Springs  

✅ Pros: 

- Iconic golf courses such as Indian Canyons Golf Resort and Escena Golf Club attract golf enthusiasts.  
- There are public and private golf courses available with diverse levels of membership.
- O'Donnell Golf Club: Beautiful vistas, impeccable conditions, and uniquely challenging golf with a casual, relaxing atmosphere make this a truly fun course to play. Located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. PRIVATE MEMBER ONLY GOLF COURSE with social memberships available.

❗Cons: 

- There are fewer gated private golf communities to choose from than in Palm Desert


Palm Desert  

✅ Pros: 

- Palm Desert is a golf mecca, with over 30 golf courses and private country clubs, including Desert Willow Golf Resort and Bighorn Golf Club.  
- Many communities offer bundled golf memberships with home purchases.  

❗️Cons: 

- Some of the private golf course communities come with hefty HOA and membership fees

💡6. Investment Potential and Short-Term Rentals

 Palm Springs  

✅ Pros: 

- Palm Springs remains a top destination for short-term vacation rentals, making it appealing for investors.  
- One of the only communities in the Coachella Valley that still allows short-term rentals in some neighborhoods
- High demand during peak seasons offers excellent rental income potential.  

❗️Cons: 

 
- Recent regulations and restrictions on vacation rentals have made it more challenging for investors.  
- Some people are strongly opposed to short-term rental properties due to potential noise issue and complaints that neighborhoods are filled with renters



Palm Desert  

✅ Pros:

- Palm Desert tends to attract long-term renters and seasonal residents, providing a stable income source.  

❗️Cons: 

- There are more restrictions on short-term rentals compared to Palm Springs.  



🤝 Conclusion: Which Desert City is Right for You?

Both Palm Springs and Palm Desert offer incredible lifestyles, but the choice comes down to your personal preferences and real estate goals. Palm Springs is perfect for those seeking vibrant culture, iconic architecture, and a lively social scene, while Palm Desert caters to those looking for a quieter, more residential feel with abundant amenities and a more laid-back vibe.

If you're ready to explore your options, The Paul Kaplan Group has a team of seasoned and experienced agents who can help break down the benefits of living in each community. We’ll guide you through every step of the process to find the perfect desert home for you. 🌴🏡

👉 Contact us today to get started on your desert living journey!