Escondido, CA, known as 'Hidden Valley,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in San Diego County, Escondido is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like San Diego (30 miles) and Carlsbad (16 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Escondido's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Escondido is home to several iconic landmarks, including the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the historic California Center for the Arts, and the scenic Daley Ranch. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Kit Carson Park to the bustling Westfield North County, known for its shopping and dining. Escondido's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Escondido Tamale Festival and the Cruisin' Grand Escondido highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Escondido's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like Palomar College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Escondido is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Escondido Arts Partnership and the Patio Playhouse are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Escondido provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Escondido’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the San Diego Padres (MLB) and the San Diego Loyal SC (USL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Escondido include healthcare, education, and tourism, with significant employers such as Palomar Health and the Escondido Union School District driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient.
Amenities
The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Escondido is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 150,396 residents. In Escondido, there are 4,027 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. If we look at the most recent Census, Escondido is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Escondido are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 36% of the population also speak Spanish. Long commute times to work can be incredibly frustrating, ranking just behind housework on the list of life's annoyances. If you opt to make Escondido your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 28 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Escondido could be a positive experience compared to other cities in California if you know where to look. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like commute, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Escondido and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Escondido to California and the national average.
The livability score in Escondido is 72/100 and the city is ranked in the 84th percentile of all cities across America. If we examine each of the categories individually, we see that Escondido ranks well for amenities (A+), education (B) and employment (B-). There are some categories that Escondido scores poorly for, including: cost of living (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Escondido, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Escondido undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: Stone Brewing Co., Queen Califa's Magical Circle, and Palomar Mountain State Park.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Escondido is actually affordable. The median home price for Escondido homes is $473,700, which is 15.7% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Escondido, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 7.3, which is 14.1% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Escondido | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 28min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.7% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.2% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 2.0% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.5% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.8% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 5.4% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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