16 Pros and Cons of Living in Temecula, CA (2024)

Perfect weather and picturesque landscapes have drawn Americans to California for many years.

Due to rising housing costs, Californians are starting to move out of the bigger cities.

Temecula, located in Southern California, offers a welcome reprieve from big city life.

Ideal for young professionals and growing families, Temecula has much to offer.

Locals enjoy perfect temperatures year-round.

The temperate climate provides the perfect setting for outdoor activities, which include horseback riding, hot air ballooning, and hiking, to name a few.

Are you contemplating the idea of relocating to Temecula, California?

If so, you’ll want to consider every element of life in this charming SoCal town.

Pros of Living in Temecula, CA

1. The Weather

As with many cities in Southern California, Temecula’s weather is comfortable year-round.

The city’s nearly 115,000 residents enjoy mild winters with zero snowfall.

Summer temperatures rise to the low to mid-90s with mild humidity.

While Temecula has 280 days of sunshine annually, it’s considered a microclimate.

That means cooler temperatures in the mornings and evenings, so don’t forget to keep a light jacket with you wherever you go.

Temecula is prone to natural disasters like wildfires and earthquakes.

The city’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness has all the information you need to prepare for these occurrences.

2. Cost of Living is Affordable

The state of California is known for its high cost of living and housing prices.

While Temecula’s cost of living is higher than many parts of the country, it’s one of the more affordable cities in California.

Let’s look at some numbers. According to BestPlaces, Temecula’s cost of living index is 142.6.

This is quite a bit higher than the national average of 100.

San Diego’s index is 160.4 and New York’s index is 168.6.

Temecula residents save approximately 18% over other SoCal cities.

3. The Landscape

Southern California is filled with natural wonders.

There are rolling hills, rock formations, arid deserts, national and state parks, and peaceful beaches everywhere you look.

Oh, and don’t forget the wineries!

Temecula is situated in a valley.

This, coupled with Southern California’s temperate climate, has helped this region produce some of the best wine in the U.S.

Whether you love wine or not, you’ll find plenty of adventure in the Temecula Valley Wine Country region.

4. Education

If you’re relocating with a family, you can rest assured your children will receive a quality education.

Temecula’s school districts are highly-rated, with a graduation rate of almost 100%.

While Temecula isn’t home to a major university, it does have multiple higher education offerings.

These include an off-campus branch of California State University, Professional Golfers Career College, and several trade schools.

5. Low Crime Rate

When it comes to violent and property crimes, Temecula is one of the safest cities in California.

Its current violent crime rate is 11.5, while the property crime rate is 36.3.

These numbers are a bit higher than the national averages but significantly lower than most parts of California.

6. Housing Market

California has a long history of high housing prices. Compared to most regions of the country, Temecula’s prices are no exception.

However, compared to most parts of the state, Temecula’s housing market is one of the most affordable.

California’s median home price is $863,710, whereas Temecula’s is $730,081.

Because of the city’s affordable housing, approximately 65% of its residents own their own homes.

The most affordable neighborhoods in Temecula, CA are:

• Mendicino
• Village Grove
• Temecula Lane
• Veranda at Bridelvale
• La Serena

7. Thriving Economy and Job Market

Temecula’s Office of Economic Development is dedicated to the expansion of the local economy.

The city supports businesses of all sizes and is home to some of the nation’s fastest-growing companies.

Crucial industries include healthcare, arts and entertainment, educational services, manufacturing, and retail trade.

Due to the city’s thriving economy, its current unemployment rate is 2.6%.

The current national rate is 3.5%.

8. Entertainment

With almost 40 parks, over 100,00 square feet of recreational facilities, and acres of public playgrounds and sports fields, there’s no shortage of things to do in Temecula.

But, the fun doesn’t stop there.

In fact, it’s even been named one of the most playful cities in the U.S.

Temecula is known for its plush and plentiful golf courses.

It also plays a major role in the equestrian industry and hosts the annual Galway Downs International Event.

If you prefer gambling, Temecula has you covered there, too.

Pechanga Resort Casino, one of the nation’s largest casinos, is located in Temecula.

Don’t forget the numerous state and national parks just a day’s drive away.

Whether you enjoy the beach, hot air ballooning, hiking in the mountains, or a day at the winery, Temecula is perfectly situated for all your entertainment needs.

Cons of Living in Temecula, CA

1. Traffic

Unfortunately, all that fun comes with a price.

The Pechanga Resort Casino has been a welcome addition to the city and its economy.

The downside is that the casino, coupled with the wineries and other city attractions, can cause extreme traffic at times.

Like most of California, Temecula is a car-dependent community.

Fortunately, rush hour traffic is predictable.

If you prefer to leave the car at home, the city does have a reliable public transportation system.

2. Car-Dependent

As we mentioned earlier, Temecula is a car-dependent community.

The city doesn’t have a good bike lane system and, with a walkability score of 30, it’s not the best city for moving about on foot.

3. Tax Rate

When you live in California, you expect to pay higher taxes than many parts of the country.

It’s the price we all pay for living in paradise.

Despite Temecula’s affordable cost of living, you cannot expect a break in taxes here.

At a rate of almost 1.2%, Temecula’s property tax rate is among the highest in the state.

You can also expect to pay a combined total sales tax rate of 8.75% on all applicable purchases.

In California, you’ll also be required to pay state income tax on your annual earnings.

The state’s tax rates range from 1% to 12.3% depending upon your total annual earnings.

4. No Snow

If you enjoy winter sports and romping in the snow, you might want to consider another region in the state.

It does not snow at all in Temecula.

Fortunately, there are a number of great places to ski just a few hours away, including the infamous Bear Mountain If you like snow, you won’t find a single flake here.

The good news is that several major ski resorts are within a three-hour drive, including Big Bear Mountain Resort.

5. Natural Disasters

With a temperate climate year-round, Temecula is a great place to soak in all of nature’s wonders.

You won’t need to worry about tornadoes or hurricanes, like in many parts of the country.

But, like much of Southern California, Temecula is prone to earthquakes and wildfires.

While Temecula has a very high earthquake risk, it has seen a dramatic drop in earthquakes in the last decade.

Experts predict a 97.05% chance that a major earthquake will hit this region in the next 50 years.

6. It’s Hot

Yes, we’ve included the weather in both the pros and the cons.

With an average of 280 days of sunshine annually, it’s always summer in Temecula.

For some folks, this is a dream come true. For others…not so much.

If you’re trying to relocate to an area that has four distinct seasons, Temecula isn’t what you’re looking for.

Even in the coldest months of the year, temperatures hover in the 70s, rarely dipping into the 60s.

7. Homelessness

California has battled its homeless problems for decades.

With over 152,000 people living on the streets, the state leads the country in homelessness.

Temecula isn’t immune to this problem.

Fortunately, the city’s crime rate hasn’t increased as a result of this problem.

You can still walk the streets alone without fear of becoming a victim.

Despite Temecula’s safety rating, locals do recommend taking standard safety precautions at all times.

8. The Locals Aren’t Very Inclusive

If you’re hoping to relocate to a city that’s welcoming and inclusive, you may want to visit the area several times before making a final decision.

Temecula is widely known as a Christian-based community.

These folks have been known to be unwelcoming to anyone that isn’t Christian and conservative.

Locals who don’t fit into this category admit the discrimination they’ve faced is only a minor annoyance.

They don’t want this to discourage people from moving to the area but do believe it’s a problem worth mentioning.

Pros and Cons of Living in Temecula, CA – Summary Table