City Guide
San Diego, CA
Overview
San Diego, CA, is well known for its perfect weather. The city is home to over one million people. Living in San Diego, you'll never tire of meeting new people and learning about the city's character and history. Something interesting about San Diego is that the first person to drive across the Coronado Bridge was Ronald Reagan when it first opened. Something else to note about the city is that with nearly 70 miles of beautiful beach, you'll find yourself spending quality time enjoying the views.
What’s it like to live in San Diego, CA ?
If you're looking to buy a home for sale in San Diego, CA you'll find that the median sale price is
$997,250
and homes stay on the market for 20 days. You'll find that the median sale prices of
a single family home and a condo/co-op in San Diego are $1,231,000
and $644,500
, respectively. San Diego area townhouses have a median sale price of $947,000
, making them less expensive
than single family homes. If you’re not ready to buy a home, consider one of the many apartments for rent in San Diego, CAExplore our San Diego housing market page for insights about how home values have changed over
the years and how San Diego home prices compare to other markets. Explore our San Diego rental market trends page for insights about how rental prices have changed and how San Diego rental prices compare to other rental markets. If you're curious about the most valuable home features in San Diego, or looking for a new home improvement project,
discover what home features and design trends may help increase your home's value.
Popular neighborhoods in and around San Diego
| Neighborhood | Median Sale Price | Compete Score | Walk Score | Real Estate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Park | $1,025,000 | 78 / 100 | 86 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| La Jolla | $2,432,500 | 71 / 100 | 29 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Rancho Bernardo | $943,000 | 72 / 100 | 26 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Pacific Beach | $1,430,000 | 74 / 100 | 74 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
| Mira Mesa | $1,005,000 | 75 / 100 | 45 / 100 | For SaleFor Rent |
San Diego Articles & Neighborhood Content
Read more on the Redfin blog
Popular homes for sale in San Diego
See all homes for sale
Rental listings in San Diego
See how much rent you can affordSee all rental listings
What is the cost of living in San Diego?
The cost of living in San Diego is 46% higher than the national average. Housing is typically the largest expense for most American households. In San Diego, the average monthly rent is $3,147, while the median home price is $1,000,000. Overall, housing in San Diego is 127% higher than the national average. Groceries, like produce, dry goods, and other essential household items, cost 11% higher in San Diego. Though healthcare costs 1% higher in San Diego compared to the national average, costs vary greatly by location, person, personal health, and health insurance. In San Diego, an optometry check-up costs around $142.84, while a dentist appointment is $123.50 on average. Learn more about the cost of living in San Diego. Discover how utilities, transportation, and lifestyle, compares against the national average.
Compared to the national average
46%
Cost of living
127%
Home prices
Cost of living calculator
Compare cities across the U.S.
San Diego Migration & Relocation Trends
In Feb '25 - Apr '25, 27% of San Diego homebuyers searched to move out of San Diego, while 73% looked to stay within the metropolitan area.
- Across the nation, 2% of homebuyers searched to move into San Diego from outside metros.
- Los Angeles homebuyers searched to move into San Diego more than any other metro followed by San Francisco and Washington.
Where are people moving to San Diego from?
- 73% of San Diego homebuyers searched to stay within the San Diego metropolitan area.
- Phoenix was the most popular destination among San Diego homebuyers followed by Las Vegas and Portland.
Where are people from San Diego moving to?
Number of People Moving to San Diego
least
most
People are moving to San Diego from
| Inbound | Net inflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 6,111 | ||
| 2 | 1,572 | ||
| 3 | 425 | ||
| 4 | 186 | ||
| 5 | 103 | ||
| 6 | 92 | ||
| 7 | 81 | ||
| 8 | 25 | ||
| 9 | 10 | ||
| 10 | 8 | ||
People are leaving San Diego for
| Outbound | Net outflow | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Metros | Feb '25 - Apr '25 | ||
| 1 | 562 | ||
| 2 | 510 | ||
| 3 | 413 | ||
| 4 | 312 | ||
| 5 | 283 | ||
| 6 | 249 | ||
| 7 | 219 | ||
| 8 | 209 | ||
| 9 | 207 | ||
| 10 | 205 | ||
Methodology
This data does not reflect actual moves. The latest migration analysis is based on a sample of about two
million Redfin.com users who searched for homes across more than 100 metro areas. To be included in this dataset, a Redfin.com user
must have viewed at least 10 homes in a three month period. This dataset excludes all rentals data.
What is there to do in San Diego, CA ?
From beautiful beaches, local art, and regional dining, there are numerous wonderful activities to do in San Diego, CA. Home to 96 museums, make sure to check out the USS Midway Museum, San Diego Padres Hall of Fame, and Maritime Museum of San Diego. For a glimpse of the art and culture scene make sure to check out the Old Globe Theatre and Horton Grand Theatre, just a handful of San Diego's performing arts venues. The city is also known for its parks and green spaces like Balboa Park, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, Waterfront Park, just to name a few. Whether you're craving some fish tacos, a California-style burrito, or some wood-fired pizza, San Diego has stellar food for any palette. Some of the must-try restaurants and eateries in San Diego include Hodads Restaurant, Pho Hoa Restaurant, and Bali Hai Restaurant, which are sure to please your taste buds.
Explore some of the best things to do in San Diego
What's the best way to get around San Diego, CA ?
The best way to get around San Diego is by car, but there are many methods for getting around the city. If you’re exploring the city by foot, San Diego has a walk score of 53, meaning this area is somewhat walkable. Another way to get around the city is by public transportation. San Diego has a transit score of 37, with a few nearby public transportation options. Most bus stations and rail stations are located in 92101, 92108 and 92110. You can also get around San Diego by bike. With a bike score of 43, there is a minimal amount of infrastructure for biking.
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
Some Transit
Transit Score®
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
San Diego Transportation
Bus Station
Buses can be found throughout the city and are easily accessible to commute in the city.
Rail Station
San Diego has 18 heavy rail stations; County Center/Little Italy Trolley Station, 32nd & Commercial Trolley Station, SDSU Trolley Station and Transit Center, Iris Avenue Trolley Station, Amtrak, San Diego-Santa Fe Depot Coaster Station, 70th Street Trolley Station, Pacific Fleet Trolley Station, Mission San Diego Trolley Station, Fenton Parkway Trolley Station. This allows you to use heavy rail to commute in and out of the city from the surrounding area and even travel to other cities.
Tram Station
San Diego has 1 tram stop. There are few tram lines, which means it is difficult to use them to commute.
Metro Station
Our data indicates this city does not have this transportation type.
Marine Terminals & Ferries
San Diego has 1 marine terminal; Unified Port Of San Diego. There are a few ferry lines, which are good for a day trip to a handful of places in the area.
Car & Bike Rentals
Renting a car is another good way to get around the city. There are 112 car rental locations. Renting a bike is another good way to get around. There are 23 bike rental locations.
Airports
San Diego has 6 airports, 1 of which is an international airport.
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