Rents are 4% below what Poway's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $3,157 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Is your rent fair?
Compare your rent to the local median.
Who lives here
Poway, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 54.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Poway, CA has changed in 5 years
Five years ago, renters in Poway, CA paid around $2,721 a month. That figure now sits near $3,157, up 16.0% from the 2022 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $119,847 in 2021 to $148,359 more recently. With wages climbing faster than rent over the same window, renters here have a bit more breathing room than they did five years back. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Poway, CA market of 2022.
Discussions about Poway
No discussions yet. Start the conversation.
Can you afford rent in Poway on your salary?
At $3,157/mo, how Poway rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Poway rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Poway. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Poway
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Poway is $3,157/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $2,150/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,890/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,340/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,860/mo.
At 26% of local median household income ($148,359/yr), Poway ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have decreased 1.1% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is Poway an affordable city for renters?
How much income do you need to rent in Poway?
Is rent going up or down in Poway?
How does Poway rent compare to other cities in California?
Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Poway?
What percentage of Poway residents rent vs. own?
How does Poway rent compare to the national average?
At $3,157/mo, rent takes ~26% of Poway's median household income ($148,359/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
How does this area stack up?
Pick another city or ZIP to compare.
Estimated from ZIP-level data
Be the first to submit your rent for Poway.
No discussions yet.
