Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Palm Desert | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $82,712 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $68,150 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.9% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 18.5% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Palm Desert is about 14% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in Palm Desert (5.9%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 18% of adults in Palm Desert earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Palm Desert, California grew by 45.4% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $82,712 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Palm Desert | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Palm Desert | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.568 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $71,216 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $65,154 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 8.5% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Palm Desert, it is 0.568, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and about the same as the US's 0.570, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there.
Men's income is about 9% more than women's income in Palm Desert, California. Over a 35-year career, a 9% wage gap accumulates to roughly $212,170 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Palm Desert, California has narrowed from about 26% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,648 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Palm Desert | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.4% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 1,205 people are unemployed in Palm Desert, California.
The average commute time in Palm Desert is 17 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Palm Desert, California has fallen from 8.2% to 5.9% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Palm Desert, California has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than California, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Palm Desert, California.
How Rich Is Palm Desert, California?
Palm Desert has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $82,712, about 14% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in Palm Desert, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in Palm Desert, California is $82,712.
What was the median household income in Palm Desert in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Palm Desert, California was $82,712.
What was the median household income in Palm Desert in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Palm Desert, California was $66,007.
What is the Gini coefficient in Palm Desert, California?
The Gini coefficient in Palm Desert is 0.568. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is almost the same as the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed about as equally as in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Palm Desert, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Palm Desert, California has narrowed from about 26% to 9% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $8,648 since 2009.