Best places to live in the San Diego metro area

Written by:
July 8, 2025
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Best places to live in the San Diego metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the San Diego metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

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#25. Vista

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 98,646

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#24. Jamul

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 6,617

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#23. Alpine

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 15,470

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#22. Valley Center

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 10,303

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#21. Hidden Meadows

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 3,899

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#20. Harbison Canyon

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 4,245

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#19. Spring Valley

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 32,215

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#18. Lake San Marcos

- Niche grade: B-
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 4,996

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#17. Oceanside

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 172,542

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#16. Santee

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 59,485

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#15. Bonsall

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 4,308

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#14. Rancho San Diego

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 22,264

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#13. Chula Vista

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 275,030

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#12. La Mesa

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 60,835

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#11. Bonita

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 13,336

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#10. San Marcos

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 94,078

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#9. Poway

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 48,515

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#8. San Diego

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 1,385,061

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#7. Rancho Santa Fe

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 2,574

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#6. Fairbanks Ranch

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 2,794

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#5. Carlsbad

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 114,500

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#4. Del Mar

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 3,921

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#3. Coronado

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 18,558

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#2. Encinitas

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 61,585

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#1. Solana Beach

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 12,841

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