Palm Springs is an Affordable California City For example, the cost of living in Palm Springs is 131/100, 31% higher than the national average. Compare that to Los Angeles at 173/100 or San Diego at 160/100, and you immediately see the difference.Los Angeles is 32.0% more expensive than Palm Springs. Los Angeles housing costs are 66.0% more expensive than Palm Springs housing costs. Health-related costs are 1.8% more in Los Angeles.