Poway, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Poway
66.1
#1587 nationally
Santa Barbara
59.8
#1944 nationally
Poway leads in crime level (3.7 vs 17.8). Santa Barbara leads in walk score (61 vs 30). Santa Barbara leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 25.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Poway, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.1 (#1587) | 59.8 (#1944) |
| Population | 48,051 | 86,499 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,225,939 | $1,848,325 |
| Median Household Income | $135,605 | $98,346 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 30 | 61 |
| Crime Level | 3.7 | 17.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 179 | 225 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+26.7 |
D
66.1 Score
Poway, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,225,939
Population
48,051
Crime
Low
Walk Score
30
Pacific
View Poway, CA →
F
59.8 Score
Santa Barbara, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,848,325
Population
86,499
Crime
High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Santa Barbara, CA →
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