Overview
Located in Southern California, Rancho Mirage is a residential resort town popular for its abundance of golf courses. In addition, residents have access to high-end spas in town and designer shopping nearby. With year-round warmth and scenic mountain views, Rancho Mirage is an in-demand retirement destination for active adults.
Climate & Geography
Rancho Mirage is in the foothills of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. The climate is arid with hot summers and the warmest winters in the western U.S. The nearby mountains contribute to the year-round warmth, keeping warm weather circulating in the area. Residents can expect around 348 days of sun and very little precipitation throughout the year.
The San Bernardino National Forest is located to the southwest of Rancho Mirage, and Joshua Tree National Forest is to the northwest.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Hiking in the nearby mountains is one of the most popular forms of outdoor recreation in Rancho Mirage. Residents can find several trails downtown, including the extensive Mirada Trail System. This system has hundreds of miles of trails, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Inside the city, residents enjoy the serene gardens, art exhibits, and educational programs at the Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
Rancho Mirage also has several options for shopping and dining, including The River, the area’s only waterfront entertainment complex. Both Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs and El Paseo in Palm Desert have high-end designer boutiques and gourmet restaurants. Both towns are under half an hour away.
Other amenities in Rancho Mirage include concerts at the Rancho Mirage Community Park, local resorts and spas, an observatory for stargazing, and over 10 golf courses.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The cost of living in Rancho Mirage is higher than the national average because of high housing costs, followed by transportation and utilities. Health care costs are below average.
California does not tax Social Security benefits, but it does fully tax all other forms of retirement income. Property taxes are relatively low, and there is a Homeowners’ Exemption to help alleviate these taxes. Sales taxes are some of the highest in the country.
Health Care
According to Gallup’s Well-Being Index, California ranks in the top 14 states.
Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage is rated high performing by U.S. News. Other nearby high performing hospitals include Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs and John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio.