2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Poway, CA
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Poway, California as of October 2026. That's +13% lower than the citywide median of $3,325 and +74% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $1,140 |
| 2 | Ridgecrest | $1,171 |
| 3 | Lakeport | $1,180 |
| 4 | California City | $1,230 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $1,250 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,305 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,330 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,330 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,350 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,360 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,370 |
| 12 | Shafter | $1,380 |
| 13 | Porterville | $1,390 |
| 14 | Hanford | $1,400 |
| 15 | Tehachapi | $1,440 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in California
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scotts Valley | $4,720 |
| 2 | Aptos | $4,720 |
| 3 | Foster City | $4,560 |
| 4 | Montecito | $4,540 |
| 5 | Cupertino | $4,500 |
| 6 | Capitola | $4,290 |
| 7 | Coronado | $4,280 |
| 8 | Tiburon | $4,210 |
| 9 | Los Altos | $4,170 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $4,070 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $4,040 |
| 12 | Solana Beach | $3,990 |
| 13 | Sunnyvale | $3,980 |
| 14 | Topanga | $3,940 |
| 15 | Rancho Palos Verdes | $3,940 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Poway.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Poway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santee, CA | 9.3 mi | $2,700 | $-190 (-7%) |
| Lakeside, CA | 10.2 mi | $2,500 | $-390 (-13%) |
| Escondido, CA | 11 mi | $2,763 | $-127 (-4%) |
| Ramona, CA | 12.6 mi | $2,780 | $-110 (-4%) |
| El Cajon, CA | 14.6 mi | $2,580 | $-310 (-11%) |
| La Mesa, CA | 14.8 mi | $2,685 | $-205 (-7%) |
| San Marcos, CA | 15.2 mi | $2,970 | +$80 (+3%) |
| Solana Beach, CA | 16.7 mi | $3,990 | +$1,100 (+38%) |
| Del Mar, CA | 17.1 mi | $3,501 | +$611 (+21%) |
| Lemon Grove, CA | 17.3 mi | $2,360 | $-530 (-18%) |
| Encinitas, CA | 17.6 mi | $3,575 | +$685 (+24%) |
| Spring Valley, CA | 17.8 mi | $2,360 | $-530 (-18%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Poway — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Poway?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Poway, California is $2,890 per month. This is +13% below the citywide median of $3,325.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Poway?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $115,600 ($9,633/month gross), which works out to roughly $55.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Poway expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Poway's 2-bedroom median of $2,890 is +74% above the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 93th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Poway rank for 2-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 381 cities in California with 2-bedroom data, Poway ranks #240 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Poway?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Santee ($2,700), Lakeside ($2,500), Escondido ($2,763).