San Diego Real Estate & Home Prices

Living in San Diego

What if you could live somewhere that experiences an average of 266 sunny days per year — far more than the national average of just 205? If you want to be a homeowner in San Diego, you can! This city just 120 miles south of Los Angeles is one of the largest in the United States and is considered the “Birthplace of California.”

It has a rich culture with dozens of museums, art galleries, theaters, and of course, the San Diego Zoo. It’s home to a vibrant economy, with defense and military, tourism, international trade, manufacturing, and research as leading local industries. Tourism makes sense, after all — with such a wonderful climate and so many beaches to explore, this city is growing every single day. 

Outside of tourism, the top employers here include the United States Navy, the University of California, and Sharp HealthCare, just to name a few. Unfortunately, San Diego is a city with relatively high real estate prices. Although Realm’s data analysis revealed that most San Diego homes were built in 1972, home prices and the cost of living are still relatively high. 

That said, you get what you pay for! San Diego regularly tops the ranks of safest cities in the country. Plus, it’s home to some of the nation’s top public schools, colleges, and universities. There’s ample public transportation and other municipal services to make this a comfortable, easy city to navigate both as a resident and as a tourist. 

Architecture and history of homes in San Diego 

The diverse Spanish and Mexican heritage of the region is reflected in many of the city’s historical sites and homes. While you’ll notice many of the same common themes while exploring this city’s neighborhoods, there are also unique variations on classic architecture that blend contemporary features with a taste of the past. 

One common feature that you’ll find in San Diego real estate is the intermingling of the great outdoors with the great indoors. Many homes have gazebos and patios. In fact, patios are the most popular feature in the local housing market, as Realm’s analysis found this feature in 2,214 recent real estate listings. 

Victorian homes are common in this city, too, comprising a large percentage of the houses built prior to World War II. These homes generally contain steeply pitched roofs, asymmetrical facades, and walls with multiple textures and colors. Details are the name of the game with these homes, with many including decorative design elements, paintings, and spindlework.

Mediterranean homes are also commonplace. These generally contain a blend of styles, including Spanish, Italian, and Californian influences. A pool is something you’re likely to find in homes of this style — as well as many others. They’re another one of the most popular features in this city, with Realm’s analysis finding pools in 1,766 recent listings. Mediterranean homes are so popular because they’re attractive while also being easier to build and maintain. Their stucco exteriors are low-maintenance and breezy.

Wood floors are commonplace in traditional San Diego homes, particularly distressed hardwood floors and those with a more contemporary style. These tend to stay cooler in warm weather, not providing the insulation of thick carpeting. And wood floors are yet another very popular feature, with Realm’s data showing them mentioned in a whopping 1,797 listings for this housing market! 

Tips for San Diego homeowners

Buying a home in San Diego is a smart choice for several reasons. For one, the seller disclosure reports are robust. These documents, required by the state of California, will tell you about any past remodeling work done on the home as well as any known issues. It’s one of the few states with laws regulating seller disclosure reports. 

That said, there are a few things to keep your eye on as you’re shopping for houses. California is known for its propensity for flooding, wildfires, and earthquakes. Although you’ll want to make sure your home has earthquake protections — such as a flexible foundation, seismic dampers, various structural reinforcements, and appropriate drainage — Realm’s data revealed that 100% of the homes located in San Diego are not located in flood zones. That’s great news and one thing you don’t have to worry about when searching for a home in San Diego. 

And while wildfires are a hot topic of concern in California, that’s not the case for San Diego, for the most part. According to Realm’s data analysis, 99.96% of the homes here aren’t located in designated perimeters for wildfires that have occurred within the last five years.

If you have a car and plan on buying a home in San Diego, a hot feature to look for in this housing market is a home with a garage (or even just a parking spot). Parking is a huge issue in San Diego, though perhaps not as much as other major metropolitan areas. But it’s something to consider as you search for a home. 

Traffic can also be cumbersome, but given that the city is very walkable and has access to lots of public transportation options, it might be a good choice just to ditch the car entirely when you’re buying a home here.

Finally, San Diego weather can be a bit on the hot and humid side. Make sure your home has an excellent HVAC system before you buy. The good news: Realm’s data showed that HVAC systems are a top feature in local real estate and were mentioned in 1,741 recent listings, so you can rest assured that it should be easy to find a home with modern heating and cooling systems to keep you comfortable. 

Frequently asked questions about San Diego real estate

Will housing prices drop in San Diego?

While housing prices in San Diego were on the downswing until 2020, that’s changed. Prices have increased significantly — about 6% — since 2020 and are expected to increase even further — up to 10% or more — in 2022 and beyond.

That’s due largely to an issue of supply and demand. Most homes in San Diego are on the older side and few new ones are being built due to materials shortages. Hopefully, as the housing market stabilizes, the pricing for those houses will drop, too.

How much does a house cost in San Diego?

As of fall 2021, the average home price in San Diego was $770,000. Fortunately, homes in San Diego tend to be large and boast numerous features, including pools and patios, to give you a greater overall value for your money. 

What salary do you need to live in San Diego?

It’s no secret that San Diego has a higher cost of living than other cities. Though the average salary is around $75,000, some estimates say that you’ll need nearly twice that in order to afford a home here.