1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Poway, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Poway, California as of July 2026. That's +25% lower than the citywide median of $3,103 and +68% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Poway
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Poway
Compare Poway's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $887 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Barstow | $974 |
| 7 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 8 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 9 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 10 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 11 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 2 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 3 | Santa Cruz | $3,710 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Poway.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Poway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,180 | $-160 (-7%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,020 | $-320 (-14%) |
| Escondido, CA | 11 mi | $2,233 | $-107 (-5%) |
| Ramona, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,250 | $-90 (-4%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 14.6 mi | $2,087 | $-253 (-11%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 14.8 mi | $2,170 | $-170 (-7%) |
| San Marcos, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,400 | +$60 (+3%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 16.7 mi | $3,220 | +$880 (+38%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 17.1 mi | $3,003 | +$663 (+28%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 17.3 mi | $1,910 | $-430 (-18%) |
| Encinitas, CA | 17.6 mi | $2,885 | +$545 (+23%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 17.8 mi | $1,910 | $-430 (-18%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Poway — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Poway?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Poway, California is $2,340 per month. This is +25% below the citywide median of $3,103.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Poway?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $93,600 ($7,800/month gross), which works out to roughly $45.00/hour at a full-time job.
Is Poway expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Poway's 1-bedroom median of $2,340 is +68% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 92th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Poway rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 385 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Poway ranks #237 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Poway?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Santee ($2,180), Lakeside ($2,020), Escondido ($2,233).