Escondido CA vs Temecula CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Escondido, CA

California · Population: 107,066

  • Median HH Income$64,484
  • Median Home Price$849,335
  • Unemployment6.4%
  • Bachelor's+14.7%

Temecula, CA

California · Population: 110,404

  • Median HH Income$117,840
  • Median Home Price$769,756
  • Unemployment5.8%
  • Bachelor's+39.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Escondido
107,066
Temecula
110,404
Temecula +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
Temecula
36.3
Temecula +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
Temecula
16.6%
White
Escondido
13.7%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
Temecula
4.3%
Temecula +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Temecula
11.5%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Temecula
28.5%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
Temecula
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Temecula
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
Temecula
5.8%
Temecula +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
Temecula
$769,756
Temecula +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
Temecula
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
Temecula
2388
Tie

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Temecula
33.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
Temecula
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
Escondido +
Temecula
38.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, while temecula offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $769,756. On public safety, Temecula is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Temecula has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.

Compare More Cities

About Escondido & Temecula