
The city of Poway, CA has long been known as a wonderful place to live, a great place to work, and a place with plenty of areas to play. Poway was incorporated as a city in 1980, and its nickname is "the City in the Country"; living in Poway CA is truly special.
More than half of Poway has been preserved as protected land for local wildlife and vegetation, while the other half offers beautiful residential areas to plant your family's roots.
Considering moving to Poway? The best way to see if living in Poway is right for you is by looking into key details about the area, such as how much it costs to live there, and other basic details. We'll cover it all in this blog!
Table of Contents
Poway, California is widely considered an excellent place to live. This affluent city offers a safe, family-friendly environment with crime rates roughly 50% below the national average. Residents enjoy top-ranked public schools (Poway Unified is #1 in the San Diego area), abundant parks and hiking trails, and a strong community spirit. With a high quality of life, rural charm, and a robust local economy, Poway stands out among San Diego’s suburbs.
You know where those living in San Diego are located or have friends living in Escondido, but where is Poway CA, and what county is Poway CA in? Located in San Diego County, about 23 miles northeast of San Diego and about 14 miles south of Escondido, Poway is far enough away from big cities to avoid the hectic lifestyle that comes with it.
But the city is also close enough to offer easy access when you want to go into town. It borders the communities of Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos, and Ramona. The area covers zip codes 92025, 92064, 92065, and 92131. After moving to Poway, a new phone number will have a local area code of 858.
Lake Poway is a community highlight located towards the northern-central point of town beneath Mount Woodson and further south of the Iron Mountains. If you're in need of public transportation when living in Poway CA, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System provides plentiful options to get around.
As you Poway CA movers and locals to the area, we know our way around all too well. Whether you're relocating to, from, or within the area, give our top-rated Poway moving company a call at 619-591-0079 for your free moving quote!
The city of Poway, CA has been home to a wide variety of famous people, including sports athletes like Tony Gwynn, Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, and LaDainian Tomlinson. The population of Poway CA has seen minimal growth over the past 20 years, and the city has a current population of 48,841 residents (as of the latest 2020 Census) with a median age of 41.9 years old.
The Poway CA population density is 1,249.8 people per square mile, so you'll enjoy being close to neighbors but in a spread out, suburban environment when living in Poway CA.
The city's gender split has a ratio of about 48.5% female and 51.5% male, and 22.9% of the population is under the age of 18 while 19% is over the age of 65, so it's a place where everyone can find their peers. More than 81% of Poway households are married couples.
Additional Poway demographics show that the local population consists of about 62.5% White (59.6 White Alone, non-Hispanic), 16.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, and about 2.8% Black or African Americans, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, and 13.4% two or more races.
Poway is ranked as the 8th safest city in California, which makes it a great place to raise a family, live on your own, or retire. Poway is a very safe place to live!
The crime rate is incredibly low in Poway, with an estimated 60.3% less crime than the California average and 51.4% less than national averages. When living in Poway CA, you're protected by the efforts of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department at the Poway Station.
Most people will consider the cost of living in Poway to be pretty expensive, even compared to many other parts of the state. The cost of living in Poway CA is estimated as up to 46% higher than the national average. To give you an idea, the cost of living in San Diego, the closest locale with a definitive cost of living index, is 42% higher than the national average.
While budget items like groceries, utilities, and housing are more costly, other things like healthcare and transportation are slightly more affordable.
The expensive Poway CA real estate market is the biggest drive for the increased cost of living.
On the hunt for houses for sale in Poway CA? With about 74% of the residents living in Poway owning their houses, the average listing price of a home in Poway is about $1,050,000. You should plan on putting a down payment of about 28% on your home and expect a median sale price per square foot of around $650.
Although the Poway rental market has seen prices increase by about 2.5% in the last year, there are still a good amount of affordable Poway CA apartments scattered around the city. The average price of rent in Poway is about $2,498 per month for your typical 820 square foot apartment.
Yes, with a median household income of $143,825 and median home prices above $1 million, living in Poway CA means living in a rather wealthy area outside San Diego, but this is nothing uncommon for Southern California.
The current combined sales tax rate in Poway is approximately 7.75%, encompassing state, county, and local levies. Property taxes generally hover around 1% of a property’s assessed value, though special assessments and voter-approved measures can slightly increase the total rate.
Interested in living in Poway CA, or moving to Poway sometime soon? There's a lovely variety of lovely neighborhoods in Poway to choose from! Residents enjoy peace of mind and a sense of security as they make their way around town, as these are some of the safest, nicest neighborhoods you can ask for.
A handful of the top Poway neighborhoods include:
At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with any of the Poway neighborhoods!
Outdoor activities abound thanks to the pleasant weather in Poway that lasts throughout the year and averages 267 days of sunshine. The city gets only about 13 inches of rain and maintains comfortable temperatures through every season.
During summer, Poway weather ranges from highs in the mid-90s during the day to lows around 60°F at night. When wintertime comes, the city of Poway CA cools off a bit to lows in the 40s and highs just over 70°F.
Poway typically doesn't see any snow, and thanks to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the climate in Poway reflects the beautiful climate in San Diego.
California is a state where fun activities and attractions can be found in every city and around every corner. Poway CA things to do are no different as it plays host to interesting attractions, a diverse range of outdoor activities, and family friendly activities.
While the majority of the area is residential communities and housing developments, Poway offers a handful of convenient places to shop around town. Residents living in Poway have access to Walgreens, Walmart, 99 Cents Store, the Carmel Mountain Plaza, The Home Depot, Target, and other nearby shopping centers.
After shopping, check out the following Poway CA things to do:
Check out the popular Potato Chip Rock! Take a hike up Mount Woodson to the thin rock and join the millions of others who have snapped an iconic photo standing on its edge.
Potato Chip Rock, Ramona, CA 92065 (858) 668-4772
Another fun activity in Poway is the massive 700-acre Blue Sky Ecological Reserve found to the north of town. As you hike the area's trails or take a guided tour, you'll be able to see a wide variety of beautiful flowers and other plant life. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of some local wildlife, such as bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, deer, rabbits, squirrels, owls, hawks, eagles, and more.
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, 16275 Espola Rd, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 668-4781
Step back in time at Old Poway Park, a family-friendly spot with historic buildings, a vintage steam train, and a bustling farmers’ market each Saturday. Explore the shady grounds, enjoy special events, and get a unique glimpse of Poway’s past.
Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 668-4576
There are so many other amazing parks and sports fields in Poway, as well as all the best San Diego Parks, so getting outside is easy.
View this post on Instagram
These additional attractions ensure there's always something to do:
There always comes a time when people want a great place to eat, and the top restaurants in Poway CA are standing by waiting to serve you.
Among the best spots in town, the Villa Capri Trattoria & Wine Bar offers a savory menu of delicious Italian cuisine. Choose anything from pizza or pasta to seafood or a chicken dish and pair it with your favorite wine.
Villa Capri Trattoria & Wine Bar, 14771 Pomerado Rd, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 391-9400
For a casual dining experience during breakfast or lunch, head over to the American diner known as Cully's Restaurant. Start your day with a plate full of flapjacks, french toast, or an omelet. At lunchtime, enjoy everything from burgers and sandwiches to steaks and salads.
Cully's Restaurant, 13252 Poway Rd, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 748-1558
Tucked away near Old Poway Park, the Hamburger Factory has been a local favorite for more than 40 years. With its rustic interior and hearty menu of gourmet burgers, sandwiches, and homestyle dishes, it’s the perfect place to refuel after exploring the city’s historical attractions.
View this post on Instagram
Hamburger Factory, 14122 Midland Rd, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 486-4575
There is a strong job market in Poway, and thanks to simple commutes, some living in Poway CA people work nearby in the big city as well. The median household income in Poway is a respectable $143,825 per year.
Local residents fill many careers in and around town, including roles as business managers, salespeople, bankers, educators, and architects. Lots of people living in Poway CA work in industries such as manufacturing, retail, construction, education, and insurance.
Some great Poway jobs can be found with local employers like
For those who commute from Poway to San Diego, the trip is about 23 miles and takes about 30 minutes in each direction, based on traffic. With growing economic development initiatives, moving to Poway couldn't be a better, more opportunistic choice.
Making up around 17% of the city population, there are about 8,603 young people between the ages of 5 and 17 years old residing in Poway. Their parents are happy with the local school system offered within the highly-rated Poway Unified School District - the top-rated school districts in San Diego. In terms of education, Poway stands out.
The top schools in Poway are:
According to U.S News reports, Poway High School is ranked #1,917 in the nation, #269 in California, and #27 for San Diego Metro area high schools.
With a history of great people living in Poway, it's no surprise that you would also want to call this gorgeous city home. The area is a perfect spot for people of all ages and offers more than enough amenities for everyone.
As you prepare for relocating to Poway, why not let our top-rated moving company assist you? Republic Moving & Storage has a professional team of dependable Poway movers ready to help! Give us a call today at 619-591-0079 or fill out the request a quote form for a free moving estimate!
Honest Reviews from Customers Just Like You








