City · 1,389,526 residents · San Diego County, California
San Diego, California
In San Diego, a typical home is worth $906,700 and typical rent is $2,313 a month. Compared with all of San Diego County, the typical home value is 6% higher and the share of households that own their home is 7 points lower.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $809,699 to $980,490.
Typical rent
$3,004a month
▲ 2.2% more than 12 months ago
Typical rent from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $2,466 to $3,004.
From Zillow (ZHVI/ZORI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
San Diego is in San Diego County. The FHA loan limit ($1,104,000 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of San Diego County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Nearby, in El Cajon, the typical home value is $681,700: 25% less than in San Diego ($906,700).
2
Nearby, in El Cajon, the typical rent is $1,856: 20% less than in San Diego ($2,313).
3
47% of households in San Diego own their home, against 55% in San Diego County.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
The homes here
Housing in San Diego
What homes there are in San Diego, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and other
San Diego
San Diego County
California
United States
Kind of home: San Diego and its comparisons
Measure
San Diego
San Diego County
California
United States
Detached house
43%
50%
57%
61%
Attached house
10%
10%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
8%
7%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
38%
30%
24%
19%
Mobile home
1%
3%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
0%
0%
0%
0%
In San Diego there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (43%); in San Diego County, 50%.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or later
San Diego
San Diego County
California
United States
Year built: San Diego and its comparisons
Measure
San Diego
San Diego County
California
United States
Before 1960
21%
17%
27%
26%
1960–1979
32%
33%
29%
24%
1980–1999
28%
30%
25%
25%
2000–2009
11%
12%
11%
14%
2010 or later
9%
8%
8%
11%
In San Diego, half of the homes were built before 1979; in San Diego County, before 1980.
Homes in San Diego are smaller: 45% have 3 bedrooms or more; in San Diego County, 52%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Under the limitOver the limitCould be either side
Under $100K3%
$100K–$200K1%
$200K–$300K1%
$300K–$500K9%
$500K–$750K21%
$750K–$1M25%
$1M or more41%
FHA limit: $1,104,000
Value of owner-occupied homes: San Diego and its comparisons
Measure
San Diego
Under $100K
3%
$100K–$200K
1%
$200K–$300K
1%
$300K–$500K
9%
$500K–$750K
21%
$750K–$1M
25%
$1M or more
41%
With an FHA limit of $1,104,000, at least 59% of owner-occupied homes in San Diego sit below it: they are worth less than $1,000,000.
Monthly rent with utilities
Under the limitOver the limit
Under $5002%
$500–$9994%
$1,000–$1,49910%
$1,500–$1,99921%
$2,000–$2,49922%
$2,500–$2,99916%
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms: $2,823
$3,000 or more26%
Monthly rent with utilities: San Diego and its comparisons
Measure
San Diego
Under $500
2%
$500–$999
4%
$1,000–$1,499
10%
$1,500–$1,999
21%
$2,000–$2,499
22%
$2,500–$2,999
16%
$3,000 or more
26%
By rent, most homes in San Diego cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent ($2,823): about 68%.
With a mortgage
$3,252 a month
San Diego County: $3,184 a month
Without a mortgage
$856 a month
San Diego County: $871 a month
Owners with a mortgage
70%
San Diego County: 70%
Owning costs about the same in San Diego as in San Diego County: with a mortgage, $3,252 a month; without one, $856.
How it changed
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024
Change since 2015–2019
Typical home value
San Diego+51%
San Diego County+52%
California+46%
United States+53%
Typical rent
San Diego+37%
San Diego County+36%
California+36%
United States+33%
Typical household income
San Diego+36%
San Diego County+35%
California+32%
United States+29%
Change since 2015–2019: San Diego and its comparisons
Measure
San Diego
San Diego County
California
United States
Typical home value
+51%
+52%
+46%
+53%
Typical rent
+37%
+36%
+36%
+33%
Typical household income
+36%
+35%
+32%
+29%
From 2015–2019 to 2020–2024, home values in San Diego rose at about the same pace as in San Diego County: 51% against 52%.
Much as in San Diego County, the typical rent in San Diego rose 37% since 2015–2019.
While home values in San Diego changed +51% and rent +37%, the typical household income rose 36%.
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: San Diego and its comparisons
Measure
San Diego
San Diego County
California
United States
Rental vacancy
4.3%
3.9%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
0.8%
0.7%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
5.8%
6.5%
8.2%
3.4%
People per household
2.52
2.72
2.84
2.53
Drive alone
63%
66%
66%
69%
Carpool
8%
8%
10%
9%
Public transit
3%
2%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
4%
4%
3%
3%
Work from home
21%
19%
17%
15%
Other means
2%
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
Open rentals in San Diego look like those in San Diego County: the rental vacancy rate is 4.3%.
More than one person per room: that is how 5.8% of households in San Diego live, near the figure in San Diego County (6.5%).
Fewer people live in each home here: 2.52 on average, against 2.72 in San Diego County.
To get to work, 63% of workers in San Diego drive alone; in San Diego County, 66%.
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in San Diego?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in San Diego, worth $906,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 83% of the typical household income in San Diego, which is $108,077 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $319,473 a year.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of San Diego County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in San Diego. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $31,735 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$7,454
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$890,277
Total interest
$1,280,900
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $15,312 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $2,522 a month
Tight
$2,522 to $3,242 a month
Hard
more than $3,242 a month
Your payment · 83%
Compared with the typical household income in San Diego ($108,077 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$6,031
Property tax
$499
Home insurance
$378
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$547
You need at least $31,735 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $7,454; principal and interest $6,031.
The city and its county
San Diego and San Diego County
San Diego is in San Diego County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
San Diego
Map of San Diego County, California, with San Diego marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
San Diego
San Diego County
Other cities with a page
San Diego's own numbers
Typical home value
$906,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,313
Typical yearly household income
$108,077
Households that own their home
47%
Effective property tax rate
0.66%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of San Diego County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,104,000
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,104,000
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$2,823
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1.5%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of San Diego County.
A typical home in San Diego is worth $906,700: 6% above the county and 23% above California. With the typical household income in San Diego ($108,077 a year), a typical home costs 8.4 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
San Diego8.4 years
County8.0 years
California7.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in San Diego County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in San Diego County rose 99% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of San Diego County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in San Diego County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +7.4% +7.4% 2016
2017: +7.1% +7.1% 2017
2018: +6.0% +6.0% 2018
2019: +2.9% +2.9% 2019
2020: +3.4% +3.4% 2020
2021: +13.8% +13.8% 2021
2022: +18.2% +18.2% 2022
2023: +5.7% +5.7% 2023
2024: +7.3% +7.3% 2024
2025: +0.7% +0.7% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in San Diego County, California and the United States
Period
County
California
U.S.
Last year (2025)
+0.7%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+54%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+99%
+80%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
San Diego next to San Diego County, California and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
San Diego$906,700
County$854,700
California$734,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
San Diego$2,313
County$2,246
California$2,036
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
San Diego$108,077
County$106,268
California$99,122
United States$80,734
See the full table
San Diego next to San Diego County and California
Measure
San Diego
San Diego County
California
U.S.
Typical home value
$906,700 ▲6% above the county
$854,700
$734,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$2,313 ▲3% above the county
$2,246
$2,036
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$108,077
$106,268
$99,122
$80,734
Households that own their home
47% ▼7 points below the county
55%
56%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$5,945 ▲3% above the county
$5,774
$5,124
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.66% ▼0.02 points below the county
0.68%
0.7%
0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income
55% ▼3 points below the county
58%
55%
51%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below San Diego County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in San Diego
For a typical $906,700 home in San Diego, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, San Diego's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$7,454a month
Least cash to close
Down payment
$31,735
Cash to close
$58,936
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $547
Conventional, 5% down$7,142a month
Down payment
$45,335
Cash to close
$72,536
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $431
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$5,790a month
Down payment
$181,340
Cash to close
$208,541
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$6,629a month
Down payment
$136,005
Cash to close
$163,206
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in San Diego
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Least cash to close
$7,454
$31,735
$890,277
7.18%
FHA MIP · $547
$58,936
580
Conventional, 5% down
$7,142
$45,335
$861,365
7.18%
PMI · $431
$72,536
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI
$5,790
$181,340
$725,360
7.18%
None
$208,541
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$6,629
$136,005
$770,695
8.18%
None
$163,206
Set by the lender
The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in San Diego is $2,313 a month: 3% above the county. In San Diego, 55% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of San Diego County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($2,823 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $54.29 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in San Diego County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$2,192
$42.15
$87,680
1 bedroom
$2,335
$44.90
$93,400
2 bedrooms
$2,823
$54.29
$112,920
3 bedrooms
$3,743
$71.98
$149,720
4 bedrooms
$4,526
$87.04
$181,040
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in San Diego
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). San Diego has 42 ZIP codes with their own.
For 2 bedrooms it runs from $2,230 in 92136 to $4,230 in 92130.
27 of the 42 are above the fair market rent for San Diego County ($2,823).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each of the 42 ZIP codes of San Diego, beside the one for San Diego County. For 2 bedrooms it runs from $2,230 in 92136 to $4,230 in 92130. 27 of the 42 are above the fair market rent for San Diego County ($2,823).
2-bedroom fair market rent in each ZIP code
Each line is one ZIP code: in color, those above the county's fair market rent; in gray, the rest.
County: $2,823
Lowest: $2,230 (92136)Highest: $4,230 (92130)
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in San Diego, fiscal year 2027.
92037
$2,620
$2,800
$3,380
$4,480
$5,420
92092
$2,190
$2,330
$2,820
$3,740
$4,520
92093
$2,600
$2,780
$3,360
$4,450
$5,380
92101
$3,180
$3,380
$4,090
$5,420
$6,560
92102
$2,100
$2,230
$2,700
$3,580
$4,330
92103
$2,490
$2,660
$3,210
$4,260
$5,150
92104
$2,260
$2,410
$2,910
$3,860
$4,670
92105
$1,780
$1,890
$2,290
$3,040
$3,670
92106
$2,270
$2,420
$2,930
$3,880
$4,700
92107
$2,460
$2,620
$3,170
$4,200
$5,080
92108
$3,200
$3,410
$4,120
$5,460
$6,610
92109
$2,700
$2,880
$3,480
$4,610
$5,580
92110
$2,520
$2,690
$3,250
$4,310
$5,210
92111
$2,190
$2,330
$2,820
$3,740
$4,520
92113
$1,740
$1,850
$2,240
$2,970
$3,590
92114
$1,880
$2,000
$2,420
$3,210
$3,880
92115
$2,060
$2,190
$2,650
$3,510
$4,250
92116
$2,220
$2,370
$2,860
$3,790
$4,590
92117
$2,180
$2,320
$2,810
$3,730
$4,510
92119
$2,280
$2,430
$2,940
$3,900
$4,710
92120
$2,410
$2,570
$3,110
$4,120
$4,990
92121
$2,550
$2,720
$3,290
$4,360
$5,280
92122
$2,870
$3,060
$3,700
$4,910
$5,930
92123
$2,790
$2,970
$3,590
$4,760
$5,760
92124
$3,110
$3,320
$4,010
$5,320
$6,430
92126
$2,700
$2,880
$3,480
$4,610
$5,580
92127
$2,650
$2,820
$3,410
$4,520
$5,470
92128
$2,800
$2,990
$3,610
$4,790
$5,790
92129
$2,400
$2,560
$3,090
$4,100
$4,950
92130
$3,280
$3,500
$4,230
$5,610
$6,780
92131
$3,070
$3,270
$3,950
$5,240
$6,330
92132
$2,190
$2,330
$2,820
$3,740
$4,520
92134
$3,110
$3,300
$3,990
$5,290
$6,410
92136
$1,730
$1,850
$2,230
$2,960
$3,580
92139
$2,120
$2,260
$2,730
$3,620
$4,380
92140
$2,970
$3,160
$3,820
$5,070
$6,130
92145
$2,650
$2,820
$3,410
$4,520
$5,470
92147
$2,640
$2,820
$3,410
$4,510
$5,470
92154
$2,150
$2,290
$2,770
$3,670
$4,440
92161
$2,190
$2,330
$2,820
$3,740
$4,520
92173
$1,790
$1,910
$2,310
$3,060
$3,700
92182
$2,190
$2,330
$2,820
$3,740
$4,520
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
92037 $3,380$4,480
92092 $2,820$3,740
92093 $3,360$4,450
92101 $4,090$5,420
92102 $2,700$3,580
92103 $3,210$4,260
92104 $2,910$3,860
92105 $2,290$3,040
92106 $2,930$3,880
92107 $3,170$4,200
92108 $4,120$5,460
92109 $3,480$4,610
92110 $3,250$4,310
92111 $2,820$3,740
92113 $2,240$2,970
92114 $2,420$3,210
92115 $2,650$3,510
92116 $2,860$3,790
92117 $2,810$3,730
92119 $2,940$3,900
92120 $3,110$4,120
92121 $3,290$4,360
92122 $3,700$4,910
92123 $3,590$4,760
92124 $4,010$5,320
92126 $3,480$4,610
92127 $3,410$4,520
92128 $3,610$4,790
92129 $3,090$4,100
92130 $4,230$5,610
92131 $3,950$5,240
92132 $2,820$3,740
92134 $3,990$5,290
92136 $2,230$2,960
92139 $2,730$3,620
92140 $3,820$5,070
92145 $3,410$4,520
92147 $3,410$4,510
92154 $2,770$3,670
92161 $2,820$3,740
92173 $2,310$3,060
92182 $2,820$3,740
3 of these ZIP codes cross the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for San Diego when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
HUD lists 166 buildings with rents for lower incomes in San Diego. These are the largest.
Meadowbrook Apartments7844 Paradise Valley Rd, San Diego 92139448 homes, 443 low-income · 2 bd: 304 · 3 bd: 144 · In service since 2013 · For families(619) 479-6565
Canyon Rim Apts10931 Gerana St, San Diego 92129504 homes, 353 low-income · 2 bd: 440 · 3 bd: 64 · In service since 2001
Coronado Terrace1151 25th St, San Diego 92154312 homes, 310 low-income · 2 bd: 268 · 3 bd: 44 · In service since 2001
President John Adams Manor5471 Bayview Heights Pl, San Diego 92105300 homes, 299 low-income · 1 bd: 44 · 2 bd: 198 · 3 bd: 44 · In service since 1999
Island Village Apts1245 Market St, San Diego 92101280 low-income homes · Studio: 281 · In service since 2003
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
There are 4 HUD-approved agencies with an office in San Diego County; 4 say they serve in Spanish.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for San Diego or San Diego County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in San Diego the same as in the rest of the state.
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional).Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
No legal help resource on our list is for San Diego or San Diego County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for San Diego and all of San Diego County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in San Diego?
The typical home value in San Diego is $906,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in San Diego County it is $854,700.
How much does it cost to rent in San Diego?
Typical rent in San Diego is $2,313 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in San Diego County is $2,823.
What is the FHA loan limit in San Diego?
San Diego uses the FHA limit for all of San Diego County (2026): $1,104,000 for a one-unit home and $2,123,100 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in San Diego?
The typical homeowner in San Diego pays $5,945 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.66% of the home’s value; in San Diego County, the rate is 0.68%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in San Diego?
There are 4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in San Diego County. 4 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
