Desert Hot Springs, CA vs Muscoy, CA
There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Desert Hot Springs is 15.3% cheaper than Muscoy. With a cost index of 104 vs 122, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Desert Hot Springs to Muscoy should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.
On the housing front, median rent in Desert Hot Springs is $1,339/month compared to $1,766/month in Muscoy — a 24% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Desert Hot Springs is more affordable at $309,300 median vs $379,200.
Median household income in Desert Hot Springs is $50,349 compared to $57,726 in Muscoy (-12.8%). The higher salaries in Muscoy partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Desert Hot Springs spend roughly 31.9% of their income on rent, less than the 36.7% in Muscoy. The Desert Hot Springs ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.
Climate-wise, Desert Hot Springs is notably warmer with an average of 75.6°F compared to 66.2°F in Muscoy. Muscoy receives more rainfall at 9.4" per year compared to 4.6" in Desert Hot Springs.
Income & Cost
Housing
Salary Equivalency Calculator
What does your salary in one city buy you in the other?
Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
Everyday Prices
BLS Average Prices by metro area
Climate
NOAA 30-year normals (1991-2020)