News Summary
San Diego is witnessing a continual decline in home prices, dropping by 0.66% annually in July, marking the third consecutive month of decreasing values. This trend is concerning for both homeowners and prospective buyers, amid a challenging housing market reflected in an increase in available listings and the length of time homes are remaining on the market. The median home price has reached $1 million, contributing to the ongoing affordability crisis. While other major cities like New York show price increases, San Diego faces significant annual declines, setting the stage for a shifting market dynamic.
San Diego is experiencing a decline in home prices for the third consecutive month, with values falling by 0.66% annually in July. This decline follows a 0.32% decrease in June and a 0.08% drop in May. This marks a troubling trend for homeowners and potential buyers, as the San Diego metropolitan area, which encompasses all of San Diego County, adjusts to challenging market conditions.
In terms of the broader market, the report indicates that San Diego is not alone; seven metro areas from the S&P/Case-Shiller Index of 20 cities reported annual declines in home prices. These developments are taking place amid a national slowdown in the housing market, characterized by sluggish growth and heightened affordability challenges resulting from higher mortgage rates.
The median home price for single-family homes in San Diego County stood at $1 million in July. This figure is significant, especially in light of the ongoing housing affordability crisis that has been affecting many areas across the country. Properties in San Diego are now remaining on the market for longer periods, which is a shift from the previously intense bidding wars that characterized the market in previous years. Buyers, as a result, are gaining more options and negotiation power.
Market Trends and Data
The national context reveals that while many markets are experiencing price declines, there is an overall stability with a slight 1.8% increase in home prices year-over-year. Major cities like New York have reported substantial increases, with home prices climbing by 6.43% annually. Other cities noted modest gains, such as Chicago and Cleveland, which saw increases of 4.46%. In contrast, San Diego ranked No. 15 on the 20-city index, as it faced a significant annual decline.
The largest drop was recorded in Tampa, with a decrease of 2.81%, followed by San Francisco at 1.92% and Miami at 1.3%. The San Diego market itself revealed that the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was reported at 6.72% at the end of July. This type of rate is a crucial factor in the ability of potential buyers to secure financing.
Shifting Dynamics in San Diego
The month of July also saw a significant increase in available housing inventory, with listings for single-family homes rising by 37.9% compared to June. This represents the highest number of active listings since October 2019, indicating a shift in the market dynamics from a sellers’ to a buyers’ market. The increase in available homes for sale has accompanied a decline in sales volume, making it easier for buyers to explore options without the pressure of competitive bidding.
The typical mortgage payment in San Diego County has now escalated to approximately $2,600 compared to pre-pandemic times. Despite this increase, a national survey showed that San Diego is still one of the most desired places to live, ranking fourth among the 50 most populous metropolitan areas in the country.
Conclusion
The San Diego housing market, while facing challenges with declining prices and rising inventory, is still considered an attractive option for many prospective residents. However, buyers are now experiencing more favorable market conditions that could lead to opportunities available in the coming months. The continuing fluctuations in home prices and mortgage rates will likely determine the near-future of home buying and selling activity in the region.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Diego Rental Prices Show Slight Decrease
San Diego Opens Exhibition Celebrating Black and Latino Communities
Transformations in San Diego’s Dining Scene
New Dining Experiences Launch in San Diego This Month
San Diego County Home Sales Rise Slightly Despite Price Decline
San Diego’s Midway Rising Project Set for Review
Upcoming Events in San Diego
San Diego Unemployment Rate Declines to 5%
UC San Diego Achieves Top University Ranking and Expands Housing Capacity
San Diego’s Innovative Approach to Affordable Housing Crisis
Additional Resources
- Times of San Diego: Case-Shiller Index San Diego Home Prices Fall for Third Month
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Bidding Wars Are in the Rear View, San Diego Home Prices Fall in U.S. Rankings
- Google Search: San Diego housing market
- MSN Money: Zillow Forecasts San Diego Home Values to Drop for the First Time in Years
- Google Scholar: San Diego real estate
- NBC San Diego: San Diego Housing Market Cooling
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego

Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.