Poway 63 Average
Poway Livability #450 ranked city in California#14,249 ranked city in the USARanks better than 51% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Poway

PROS
  • Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Crime

    Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.

  • Employment

    Higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates are seen in this area. The result is a high score in the employment category.

  • Schools

    The schools category earns a high score due to factors like exceptional test scores, strong education levels and the close proximity of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings

    Based on recent surveys and polls, locals gave high marks in the walkability to local amenities, safety, public transit, friendliness of neighbors and overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

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What's it like Living in Poway?

Located in the state of California, Poway is a mid-sized city with a population of 49,780 residents. If we take a look at the last Census, the vast majority of the population falls within one racial group (70% White). Given that fact, Poway could be considered less diverse than other cities. 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 Poway your home, your one-way commute time will typically last around 25 minutes, a duration that aligns with the national average commute time of 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new area can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Poway, California could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. To help you find the best places to live in and around Poway, AreaVibes has created a livability score using key metrics like crime, cost of living, commute, housing and more.

With a livability score of 62 out of 100, Poway is ranked #14,761 in the United States and #536 in California. There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Poway scores well for crime (A+) and employment (A+) On a more negative note, Poway does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (F) and cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Crime rates play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for anyone considering a move, as they directly influence the overall sense of safety, security and quality of life in a given location. Poway shines in this regard, earning exemplary ratings for its exceptionally low violent crime rates, standing at 173 crimes per 100,000 residents. These rates are notably below the national average, underscoring the community's commitment to safety and contributing to an enhanced quality of life.

Assuming that Poway meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Poway. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Poway are simply unattainable. The median home price for Poway homes is $716,300, which is 75% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Poway, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 3.1% lower than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Poway

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Poway?

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Compare Poway, CA Livability

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      Poway transportation information

      Statistic Poway California National
      Average one way commute25min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work76.7%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.0%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.5%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.9%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home10.0%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Poway, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).