Best suburbs in San Diego

Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
- Population: 48,737
- Median home value: $911,500
- Median rental price: $2,165

- Top schools nearby: Creekside Elementary School (grade A+), Escondido Charter High School (grade A+), Rancho Bernardo High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Cambridge School (grade A+), Cathedral Catholic High School (grade A+), San Diego Jewish Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#7. Poway, California
A family playing soccer together.
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock
- Population: 3,033
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Canyon Crest Academy (grade A+), Torrey Pines High School (grade A+), San Dieguito High Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: La Jolla Country Day School (grade A+), Pacific Ridge School (grade A+), The Cambridge School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
#6. Rancho Santa Fe, California
Happy young family sitting in a park.
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock
- Population: 3,014
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $No data available

- Top schools nearby: Canyon Crest Academy (grade A+), Torrey Pines High School (grade A+), Westview High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: La Jolla Country Day School (grade A+), The Cambridge School (grade A+), The Grauer School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#5. Fairbanks Ranch, California
Happy family in backyard with dog.
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
- Population: 61,942
- Median home value: $1,354,600
- Median rental price: $2,480

- Top schools nearby: Canyon Crest Academy (grade A+), Torrey Pines High School (grade A+), San Dieguito High Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: La Jolla Country Day School (grade A+), Pacific Ridge School (grade A+), The Cambridge School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#4. Encinitas, California
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
F8 studio // Shutterstock
- Population: 3,956
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $2,961

- Top schools nearby: Canyon Crest Academy (grade A+), Torrey Pines High School (grade A+), San Dieguito High Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: La Jolla Country Day School (grade A+), The Cambridge School (grade A+), The Grauer School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#3. Del Mar, California
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
FamVeld // Shutterstock
- Population: 18,871
- Median home value: $1,872,000
- Median rental price: $3,046

- Top schools nearby: Preuss School UCSD (grade A+), Coronado High School (grade A+), Old Town Academy K-8 Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Francis Parker School (grade A+), The Waldorf School of San Diego (grade A+), Academy of Our Lady of Peace (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
#2. Coronado, California
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
- Population: 12,946
- Median home value: $1,617,500
- Median rental price: $2,881

- Top schools nearby: Canyon Crest Academy (grade A+), Torrey Pines High School (grade A+), San Dieguito High Academy (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: La Jolla Country Day School (grade A+), The Cambridge School (grade A+), The Grauer School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: D+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Solana Beach, California
Dancestrokes // Shutterstock