Retire in Palm Springs Florida or Lake Clarke Shores: Affordable Central Palm Beach County Options

If you want to retire in Palm Springs Florida, you are looking at one of the lower-priced corners of Palm Beach County. The Florida village sits between West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach, far from the California desert town of the same name. Right next door is Lake Clarke Shores, a tiny town of single-family homes built on the old bed of Lake Clarke. The two places sit side by side, yet they serve very different retirement budgets. This guide compares prices, taxes, senior breaks, flood checks and daily convenience, so you can decide which one fits.

Key takeaways

• According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, the median list price of active residential listings was $157,900 in Palm Springs and $750,000 in Lake Clarke Shores.
• Lake Clarke Shores had only 15 active listings on that date, so its figures come from a very small sample.
• Palm Springs offers an extra $25,000 limited income senior exemption for qualifying owners 65 and older. Lake Clarke Shores is not on the county's list for that local exemption.
• The Village of Palm Springs has proposed a 3.5 mill operating rate for its 2027 budget, and it runs its own police and utility system.
• Both towns sit a short drive from HCA Florida JFK Hospital in Atlantis and from downtown West Palm Beach.

Why retirees look at Palm Springs, Florida and Lake Clarke Shores

Most retirees who move to Palm Beach County start their search on the coast. Then they see the prices. As a result, many widen the map to the central county, where homes cost less but the beach, the airport and downtown West Palm Beach are still close.

Palm Springs and Lake Clarke Shores both sit in that central band. According to public records summarized on Wikipedia, Palm Springs lies directly west of Lake Clarke Shores. Both towns sit west of Interstate 95, and most shops for Lake Clarke Shores residents line Forest Hill Boulevard.

Still, the similarities end there. Palm Springs is a larger village with condos, villas and modest houses. Lake Clarke Shores covers about one square mile and is almost all single-family homes. So the choice usually comes down to budget and the kind of home you want.

Homes for those who retire in Palm Springs, Florida

Palm Springs grew from dairy land into a suburb of one-story houses. According to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, developers bought the old Boutwell dairy farm to build single-family homes, and the village was chartered in 1957. Over the years it also annexed nearby land, which brought in condo and villa communities.

For retirees, that mix is the main draw. A condo or villa can keep both the price and the upkeep low. Meanwhile, a small one-story house gives you a yard without stairs. Many buildings and homes here are several decades old, though. So check the roof age, the windows and the electrical panel, because they affect both repairs and insurance.

According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Palm Springs had 179 active residential listings. Their median list price was $157,900, and the median list price per square foot was $189. Active listings had been on the market for an average of 119 days. Those figures mix condos and houses together, and they reflect asking prices, not sales. You can see current listings on our Palm Springs page.

Homes in Lake Clarke Shores

Lake Clarke Shores has a very different feel. The Historical Society notes that the lake shrank to a marsh after the West Palm Beach Canal opened in 1917. Later, William Travers reshaped the old lakebed and started selling lots in 1949. Property owners then incorporated the town in 1957, in part to avoid being annexed by West Palm Beach.

Today the town is mostly a quiet bedroom community of single-family homes. Some homes back onto the water, while others sit on inland streets. The 2020 census counted 3,564 residents in about 1.03 square miles, per the Wikipedia summary.

Because the town is so small, few homes are for sale at any one time. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Lake Clarke Shores had just 15 active residential listings, with a median list price of $750,000 and a median of $417 per square foot. With so few listings, one or two large waterfront homes can swing those numbers. Our Lake Clarke Shores page shows what is listed today.

Taxes when you retire in Palm Springs, Florida

Property taxes matter more on a fixed income, so compare them early. In Florida, a homestead exemption can cut up to $50,000 from your taxable value, and Save Our Homes caps how fast your assessment can rise. If you are moving from another Florida home, you may also be able to bring part of your old tax savings with you. Our guide to homestead exemption portability explains how that works.

Palm Springs village taxes

On its Amendment 3 page, the village lists a proposed operating rate of 3.5 mills, or $3.50 for every $1,000 of taxable value. It also says about 19% of a typical combined tax bill goes to the village. The rest goes to the school board, the county, fire rescue and special districts.

The limited income senior exemption

Here Palm Springs has a clear edge for some retirees. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser lists Palm Springs among the cities with an extra $25,000 exemption for qualifying seniors. The county offers its own $25,000 on top of that. To qualify, you must be 65 or older, already have a homestead exemption and meet the income limit, which is $38,686 for 2026. Lake Clarke Shores does not appear on that list. Even so, the county portion may still apply there if you qualify.

Flood risk and insurance checks

Flood risk changes from street to street, so never judge it by town name. A home near water in Lake Clarke Shores may have a different flood zone than one a few blocks inland. In the same way, Palm Springs has both low spots and higher ground.

So look up each address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Then ask your insurance agent for a quote before your inspection period ends. Also order a four-point and wind mitigation report on older homes, since roof age and storm protection affect your premium. If you buy in a high-risk flood zone with a federally backed loan, the lender will require flood insurance.

Healthcare and drive times if you retire in Palm Springs, Florida

For many retirees, the doctor matters as much as the house. Both towns sit a short drive from HCA Florida JFK Hospital at 5301 South Congress Avenue in Atlantis. Downtown West Palm Beach, its hospitals and Palm Beach International Airport are also nearby.

Traffic is the catch. Congress Avenue, Military Trail, Lake Worth Road and Forest Hill Boulevard all get busy at rush hour and during the winter season. Therefore, drive to your usual doctor, store and place of worship at the times you would really go. That simple test tells you more than any map estimate.

Retire in Palm Springs, Florida or Lake Clarke Shores? A quick comparison

Here is how the two choices line up for most retirees:

• Budget: Palm Springs has far more homes at lower prices, especially condos and villas. Lake Clarke Shores is mostly single-family homes at higher prices.
• Home type: Palm Springs suits buyers who want little or no yard work. Lake Clarke Shores suits buyers who want a house, a yard and maybe the water.
• Inventory: Palm Springs had 179 active listings on October 1, 2026. Lake Clarke Shores had 15, so you may need patience.
• Senior tax break: Palm Springs offers the extra village senior exemption. Lake Clarke Shores does not appear on the county's list.
• Services: Palm Springs runs its own police and utilities. In Lake Clarke Shores, ask which services the town provides and which come from other agencies.

Also think about renting first. According to Pure Equity's MLS data as of October 1, 2026, Palm Springs had 139 active rental listings with a median asking rent of $2,100. Lake Clarke Shores had only 6, so rentals there are rare.

How the wider county market affects your plan

Many retirees sell a larger home before they buy, so both sides of the market matter. In August 2026, Palm Beach County's single-family median sale price was $650,000, and homes went under contract in a median of 40 days, per Miami Realtors. Condos and townhouses had a median of $300,000, with 69 days to contract and 6.7 months of supply.

In other words, house sellers had a firmer market than condo sellers. If you sell a house and buy a condo or villa in Palm Springs, you may have more room to negotiate on the purchase. On the other hand, a Lake Clarke Shores house may draw several buyers when one comes up, since so few are listed.

Steps to retire in Palm Springs, Florida with fewer surprises

1. Set a total monthly budget that includes HOA or condo dues, taxes and insurance.
2. Check the city limits on each address, since some nearby homes carry a Palm Springs or Lake Worth mailing address but sit outside the village.
3. Read condo budgets, reserve studies and any milestone inspection reports before you commit.
4. Look up the flood zone and get an insurance quote during your inspection period.
5. File for homestead and any senior exemption by March 1 after you move in.

For more on daily life in the village, read our guide to living in Palm Springs.

Frequently asked questions

Is it affordable to retire in Palm Springs, Florida?

Compared with much of Palm Beach County, yes. On October 1, 2026, the median list price of active listings in Palm Springs was $157,900, according to Pure Equity's MLS data. Still, count condo dues, insurance and taxes, not just the price.

Is Palm Springs, Florida the same as Palm Springs, California?

No. The Florida village is in central Palm Beach County, near West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach. When you search listings, add FL or the ZIP code to avoid California results.

Does Lake Clarke Shores have a 55+ community?

The town is mostly single-family homes rather than age-restricted communities. If you want a 55+ community, ask us for a shortlist that includes nearby options in the central county.

Do seniors get a tax break in Palm Springs?

Qualifying owners 65 and older with a homestead exemption and income under the limit can get an extra $25,000 village exemption, plus the county's $25,000. You must apply by March 1.

Sources

• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Palm Springs
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Lake Clarke Shores
• Wikipedia, Lake Clarke Shores, Florida
• Village of Palm Springs, Amendment 3 and budget
• Palm Beach County Property Appraiser, limited income senior exemption
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• HCA Florida JFK Hospital, contact and location
• Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report

Selling a larger home before you retire? Find out what it could sell for with a free home valuation, then plan your move around the sale. Buying? Request a curated 55+ and central county shortlist from a Pure Equity agent who knows Palm Springs and Lake Clarke Shores. Contact our team.