Desert Palms, CA vs Dixon, CA
Dixon is moderately more affordable than Desert Palms, with a 6.4% lower cost of living index. Desert Palms scores 147 compared to 138 for Dixon, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Desert Palms can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.
On the housing front, median rent in Desert Palms is $2,175/month compared to $1,728/month in Dixon — a 26% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Dixon has cheaper rent, Desert Palms actually has lower median home values ($526,500 vs $575,600).
Median household income in Desert Palms is $81,954 compared to $98,798 in Dixon (-17%). Dixon offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Desert Palms spend roughly 31.8% of their income on rent, more than the 21% in Dixon. The Dixon ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.
Climate-wise, Desert Palms is notably warmer with an average of 75.6°F compared to 62.1°F in Dixon. Dixon receives more rainfall at 24.8" per year compared to 4.6" in Desert Palms.
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Housing
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Rent by Bedroom Size
HUD Fair Market Rent (FY 2026) — metro area average
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Climate
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