Area-affordable living in the resort-like Coachella Valley
Around 30 miles east of Palm Springs, Coachella offers all the resort-like amenities of the sunny Coachella Valley at a lower cost of living. “Coachella is where you get the best price per square footage in the Valley, at almost 40% lower than what you’d find in Palm Springs,” explains Raquel Davalos, an experienced Realtor with RE/MAX Desert Properties. Once focused on agriculture, Coachella's economy has become centered on hospitality, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year with its proximity to events venues, golf courses and natural desert spaces. New, area-affordable subdevelopments are also attracting permanent residents, mostly remote workers and retirees. “Coachella’s starting to grow with all these beautiful communities, but it’s still held onto its small-town feel,” Davalos says.
Find your dream home in Coachella, where desert beauty meets modern living.
Walking the sidewalks of Coachella you will catch some artistic wall art.
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Racetracks, music festivals and other Coachella Valley attractions
Set between Thermal and Indio, Coachella residents are a quick drive away from the Valley’s most popular attractions and events. “The Thermal Club is super close, and they host the INDYCAR Grand Prix there,” says Davalos. “When there aren’t races, millionaires fly here on vacation and play with their cars on the track.” Around 5 miles west, the Empire Polo Club hosts the famous Coachella and Stagecoach Festivals each April, drawing hundreds of thousands to the Valley. Casinos can also be found in and around Coachella. “The Spotlight 29 Casino is the perfect place to be if want to play games and go dancing, and Fantasy Springs nearby has slots and bowling,” Davalos says.
The Coachella music festival is held at The Empire Polo Club in Indio.
Augustine Casino offers a thrilling blend of gaming and entertainment for residents of Coachella.
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Area-affordable housing in the Coachella Valley
As of early 2025, Coachella’s median housing price is about $470,000, compared to the Palm Springs median of $650,000. Most properties are single-family homes from the 2000s and 2010s, set in small subdivisions like Navarra and Puesta del Sol. Common styles include Spanish Revival and California Ranch, both of which feature earth-tone stucco exteriors and terracotta roofs. Prices for both styles typically range between $400,000 and $700,000, depending on how new and large they are.
Ranch style homes are around every corner in Coachella.
There are many Spanish inspired architecture in Coachella California.
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Golf courses, desert canyons and mountain ranges nearby
“The Coachella Valley is one of the best places in the world for golfing,” says Davalos, “so a lot of people from Coachella love going to the Indio Golf Course nearby because it’s public.” The City of Coachella also manages eight public parks, ranging from small tot lots to sprawling community green spaces. At over 46 acres, Bagdouma Park is both the largest and most popular in the city, featuring a community pool, sports facilities and the Coachella Valley Boxing Club.
Coachella is also surrounded by vast desert spaces and mountain ranges. “The Mecca Hills Wilderness is super close by, only around 25 minutes toward Mecca City, and people love the Ladder Canyon Trail there,” says Davalos. “There are these ladders that let you climb down into the canyon – God knows who put them there – but the views are unforgettable.” Most residents enjoy these views early in the morning before the low desert climate brings temperatures up to over 100 degrees during the day.
Discover golf courses conveniently located near your home in Indio.
At over 46 acres, Bagdouma Park is both the largest and most popular in Coachella.
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Small-town shopping in Downtown Coachella
In Downtown Coachella, locally owned businesses are centered around Sixth Street, often Mexican restaurants and markets set in Mission-style buildings painted with colorful murals. “It feels like you’re in an old town in Mexico,” Davalos says, “because you can go the bakery or library and then get some great Mexican food for dinner.” On Caesar Chavez Street, additional strip malls and shopping centers offer a wider variety of chain restaurants and grocery stores, but Davos says, “A lot of people from Coachella will head to all the malls and restaurants in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. They’re all around 20 minutes away.”
Explore the vibrant murals that bring Coachella’s history to life.
A local favorite, Coachella Firehouse Bar and Grill brings flavor and fun together.
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Access to major desert roadways
State Route 111, Highway 86 and Interstate 10 all run through Coachella, connecting residents to whole Coachella Valley and the Inland Empire; Los Angeles is about 110 miles west via I-10. Three Sunline Transit Agency bus routes lead in and out of the city, but most locals rely on cars to get around. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital is 3 miles west in Indio, and the Eisenhower Medical Center is 16 miles west in Rancho Mirage. The Jacquelin Cochran Regional Airport is 3 miles south, and the Palm Springs International Airport is 25 miles west.
Coachella Valley school districts
Coachella students are served by three public school districts: Desert Sands Unified, Palms Springs Unified and Coachella Valley Unified. Desert Sands Unified earns an A-minus from Niche and is the largest of the trio, serving over 25,000 students. Palm Springs Unified scores a B, and Coachella Valley Unified receives a C-minus.
Palm View Elementary is a wonderful school.
Nova Academy is an amazing school in Coachella.
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Crime figures on-par with national averages
According to the most recent FBI data, Coachella’s reported property and violent crime rates were on par with national figures. Data from the California Department of Justice indicates that between 2013 and 2023, overall crime rates in Coachella decreased by 33%.
Raquel Davalos has been a resident of the Coachella Valley since 1974 and has been selling Valley Real Estate for nearly two decades. She joined Re/Max Consultants in 1996 and Re/Max Desert Properties in 2019 and has developed a deep understanding of the Valley''s Real Estate market, from its vast offerings, to the complexities of selling and purchasing a home here. To date, Raquel Davalos has sold over 700 homes, representing both buyers and sellers. These accomplishments have led to Raquel Davalos receiving consecutive awards since 2001: she boasts several 100% and Platinum Club awards, as well as having received a Hall of Fame award in 2004 and a Lifetime Achievement award in 2013. Raquel Davalos is also a member of CAR and NAHREP and has received a Green designation for her studies in energy efficient homes. Raquel Davalos is fluent in English, Spanish and French and derives a great deal of pleasure in helping buyers find the perfect home and helping sellers received the greatest return on their investment.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
