Are Home Prices Dropping in San Diego? Maybe
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
If you’ve been trying to follow the San Diego housing market lately, you’re probably seeing mixed messages.
Some reports say prices are rising.Others show certain areas are declining.
So what’s actually happening?
Let’s break down the March 2026 data in a way that actually makes sense.
The Headline: Prices Look Like They’re Up… But That’s Not the Full Story
In North San Diego County, the median home price is now about $1,010,000, which is up 3.1% year over year.
At first glance, that sounds like the market is still strong.
But when you look deeper, the picture changes.
Detached homes (houses): up just 0.4%
Attached homes (condos/townhomes): up 9.7%
That’s a big difference.
So while the overall number shows growth, it’s really being driven by condos—not houses.
What This Means: Buyers Are Adjusting, Not Disappearing
This shift tells us something important.
Buyers are still in the market—but they’re adjusting what they can afford.
Instead of stretching for a detached home, many are choosing:
Condos
Townhomes
Lower price points
That increased demand is what’s pushing condo prices higher.
The Real Driver: Inventory Is Way Down
One of the biggest factors right now is supply.
New listings: down 14.6%
Total homes for sale: down 27.8%
That’s a significant drop.
When there are fewer homes available, prices don’t have much room to fall—even if demand softens.
Zooming Out: San Diego Is Not One Market
When you look at all of San Diego County, the story becomes even clearer.
San Diego County overall: +0.7% (basically flat)
North County: +3.1%
Central (Metro): -1.7%
East County: -4.2%
South County: -5.2%
Three out of four regions are actually down.
North County is the only area holding the market up.
Are prices dropping?
Yes, in all areas BUT North County
📍 North County•
Median: $1,010,000 (+3.1%)•
Detached: +0.4%•
Attached: +9.7%
📍 San Diego County•
Overall: $911,625 (+0.7%)•
Metro: -1.7%•
East County: -4.2%•
South County: -5.2%
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
If you’re buying:
You may have more negotiating room than before
But good homes are still competitive due to low inventory
If you’re selling:
Pricing correctly matters more than ever
The market will not automatically push your price higher
Final Thought
The biggest mistake right now is relying on headlines.
San Diego isn’t one market—it’s multiple markets moving in different directions.
If you want to understand what’s happening for your specific situation, you need to look at:
Your price range
Your area
Your property type
That’s where the real strategy is.
