San Diego homes are still selling fast and for more money, even as mortgage rates climb back above 7% for the first time since January 2025. The countywide median sale price hit $961,781 in August, up 5.7% from a year ago, and the typical home went under contract in just 28 days.
If you're thinking about buying or selling this fall, here's what the latest numbers say and what they mean for you.
The numbers: San Diego County, August 2026
San Diego is still a seller's market, with just 3 months of supply and more than a third of homes selling above asking.
| Metric | August 2026 | Change vs. last year |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $961,781 | +5.7% |
| Price per square foot | $597 | +3% |
| Median days on market | 28 days | 13 days faster |
| Homes sold above asking | 35.4% | +5.9 points |
| Sale-to-list ratio | 99.2% | — |
| Active listings | 8,709 | -5.6% |
| Homes sold | 2,065 | -4% |
| Pending sales | 2,164 | -13% |
| 30-year fixed mortgage rate (Sept 24) | 7.03% | up from 6.30% |
Sources: Redfin; Freddie Mac.
Neighborhood snapshot (June–August 2026)
| Area | Median price | Change vs. last year | Days on market |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of San Diego | $999,339 | +5.2% | 27 |
| Coronado | $2,888,089 | +28.4% | 48 |
| Encinitas | $2,053,641 | +2.8% | 24 |
| Carlsbad | $1,583,952 | +3.6% | 33 |
| Oceanside | $889,411 | +4.0% | 32 |
| Chula Vista | $858,432 | +2.9% | 24 |
The city of San Diego is now within a hair of a $1 million median. Coronado's jump reflects a small number of high-end sales (76 homes), so read it as a trend, not a rule.
What this means for buyers
Higher rates are cooling demand a little, and that can work in your favor. Pending sales are down 13% from last year, and 22% of listings have had a price cut.
- Get fully pre-approved now. At 7%, every quarter point matters. Know your real monthly payment before you tour.
- Look at the middle of the market. Homes in the $650K–$910K range have held nearly flat in price over the past year, while the top end keeps climbing.
- Watch listings that sit. A home past 30 days is often open to a lower price or seller-paid help with your rate.
- Be ready to move on the right home. More than 1 in 3 homes still sell over asking, so the best ones won't wait.
- Plan to refinance, not to wait. If rates drop later, you can refinance. Prices have risen about 65% since early 2020 and haven't waited for anyone.
What this means for sellers
You're still in a strong spot. With active listings down 5.6% and only 3 months of supply, buyers have fewer choices than before the pandemic.
But 7% rates change buyers' budgets. Homes that are priced right and look great still go fast and often above asking. Homes priced too high are the ones getting cut.
- Price for today, not for spring. Use recent sales, not last year's peak.
- Prep matters. Clean, repaired, well-photographed homes win the multiple-offer situations.
- Consider a rate buydown. Offering to help with the buyer's rate can bring in more offers than a price cut of the same size.
- List before the holidays. Fall buyers are serious buyers, and there's less competition from other sellers.
Ready to make a move?
Buying or selling a home should feel clear and manageable. The QuickAndEasy Home Group knows San Diego, from Clairemont and Point Loma to La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Coronado.
- Buyers: Search every San Diego listing and save the homes you like.
- Sellers: Get a free home value estimate based on today's sales.
- Questions? Call us at (844) 311-4969. We're happy to talk through your options, no pressure.