salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 92% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.5 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most homes (75.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $121,400 a year. That is $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 508 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Poway?
Share of households by yearly income. 57.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Poway
| Size | Poway | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,099 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,969 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,281 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,052 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Poway overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Poway, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Poway
Life in Poway
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Poway?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $4,145 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,034,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $103,480 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Poway, CA?
Renting in Poway costs a median of about $3,035 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Poway?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $121,400 a year, or $58 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Poway cheap or expensive?
Poway is rated OK: rent takes 22.8% of the typical household income of $160,005. It ranks 508th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Poway?
The median homeowner in Poway pays $6,843 a year in property taxes, about 0.66% of the median home value.
Is Poway more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Poway?
The median home value in Poway is $1,034,800, about 6.5 times the typical yearly household income.
48,713 people live in Poway. Numbers are typical (middle) values.