2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Palm Desert, CA vs Novato, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
Are people in Novato older or younger than people in Palm Desert?
- The Median Age in Novato is 8.1 years younger than in Palm Desert.

Are housing costs cheaper in Novato or Palm Desert?
- Novato housing costs are 95.2% more expensive than Palm Desert housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Novato or Palm Desert?
- The average commute for residents of Novato is 13.4 minutes longer than it is for residents of Palm Desert.

Things to do in Palm Desert?
Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California that enjoys year-round sunshine and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Located within the Coachella Valley of the Sonoran desert, there are plenty of activities to enjoy around the area such as golfing, hiking, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. The city has some beautiful resorts with upscale amenities, shopping centers full of boutique stores and galleries, art shows and festivals to take part in throughout the year. In addition to its picturesque scenery, Palm Desert’s rich cultural diversity makes it an ideal place for a unique travel experience.

Things to do in Novato?
Novato, California is located in Marin County, just north of San Francisco. Novato is home to nearly 56,000 people and offers a mix of rural and urban attractions. Residents enjoy outdoor activities such as Mt. Burdell Open Space Preserve and the Novato Arts Center for its art galleries, plays, and music events. Novato also boasts several shopping destinations in addition to top-notch schools, hospitals and services. With its combination of small-town charm, big-city amenities and access to pristine natural beauty, Novato provides an excellent place to call home.

 Palm Desert, CANovato, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock53,214329,725,481
 Median Income$67,514  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock48.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$539,000  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock5.0%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time19.18  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Palm Desert    14 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Palm Desert, CA is full of rude people. One woman in a long sleeved pink shirt is being extremely rude and mocking people for no reason at a neighborhood Walmart in Palm  More

   |    Reply

Palm Desert is clean, upscale and beautiful. The views of the Santa Rosa Mountains bright blue sky and green expanses of golf course fairways, swimming pools and  More

   |    Reply

I made the mistake of moving here after a short vacation to be closer to family. Biggest mistake of my life! This is not the place to live if health is important to you.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palm Desert

Reviews for Novato    9 Reviews

Lush hills, hiking trails, and easy access to both wine country and San Francisco. We love it here.  More

   |    Reply

Over 10 years ago

Novato is a family oriented community located about 20 miles north of the Golden Gate bridge. The quality of life is excellent here assuming your job pays you enough to  More

   |    Reply

Over 11 years ago

We recently moved to a secluded neighborhood in Novato after 25 years in central Marin. While there are fewer restaurants and galleries, we are very pleased with our  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Novato


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.