San Diego County, CA Housing Market Update: August 2026

Key Takeaways

• San Diego County remained a seller’s market in August: the median home sold in just 28 days, inventory fell 5.6% year over year, and over a third of sales closed above asking price.
• Prices climbed 5.7% to $961,781—outpacing the national gain of 2.2%—as price per square foot rose 3% to $597.
• Pending sales dropped 13.0%, a steeper pullback than the national decline of 1.3%.

San Diego County, CA Housing Market Snapshot

San Diego County’s housing market continued to favor sellers in August. Prices accelerated, homes moved faster than at any point in the past year, and inventory kept contracting even as national supply expanded. Competition intensified across the mid-price tiers, and the typical listing disappeared in under a month. The headline price gain of nearly 6% exceeded the national pace, though forward-looking indicators hinted at some moderation ahead.

Learn everything you need to know about the San Diego County, CA housing market as we head into fall, and what buyers and sellers can do to succeed.

U.S. Housing Market Snapshot

Nationally, home prices rose about 2% and pending sales fell about 1%. Inventory expanded modestly and homes sat on market for 50 days, the same as a year ago. San Diego County diverged sharply: prices grew nearly three times faster, homes sold 22 days quicker, and available inventory fell while the rest of the country added supply. The county’s about 3 months of supply sat well below the national figure of about 4, keeping the market firmly on the seller’s side.

“The U.S. housing market faced some hurdles in August, as inflation and an AI-fueled economy kept mortgage rates high and weighed heavily on homebuyers, sellers, and investors,” said Chen Zhao, Redfin’s head of economics research. “Until recently, affordability and activity had been slowly improving for months, helping the market recover. But now, economic uncertainty and rising prices are keeping more people on the sidelines and slowing the market further. For buyers who need to buy, now is a great time because there’s less competition and a bit more inventory—for sellers, pricing competitively is key to attract attention.”

San Diego County Prices Outpaced the Nation as Competition Heated Up

The median sale price in San Diego County reached $961,781 in August, a 5.7% gain from a year ago, nearly triple the national growth rate of 2.0%. Price per square foot climbed 3% to $597, confirming that the appreciation reflected rising values rather than a shift in the mix of homes selling. At nearly $962,000, San Diego remains one of the most expensive large counties in the country, with prices up roughly 65% since early 2020.

About 22.3% of active listings carried a price reduction, slightly above the national average, but the typical home still sold for 99.2% of its asking price. Over a third of sales closed above list, with the share of above-list deals jumping nearly 6 percentage points year over year. Despite the county’s sky-high price point, sellers rarely needed to offer meaningful concessions.

Pending Sales Fell Sharply Even as Homes Moved Faster

Pending sales dropped 13.0% year over year in San Diego County, more than five times the national decline of 1.3%. Yet the typical home went under contract in 28 days, down 13 from a year ago and 19 days faster than the U.S. median. The disconnect between shrinking contract volume and accelerating speed suggests that well-priced homes attracted immediate offers, while the overall pool of active buyers thinned.

Homes sold fell about 4% to 2,065, a modest pullback after stronger months earlier in the year. Nationally, closings were roughly flat. The drop in pendings signals that fall closings may soften further, though the rapid absorption of correctly priced listings shows that demand has not evaporated—it has become more selective.

Inventory Contracted Again While the Nation Added Supply

Active listings in San Diego County fell 5.6% year over year to 8,709, while nationally inventory rose about 3%. New listings barely moved, up less than 1% to 2,568. Months of supply held at 3.0, well below the national figure of about 4 and deep in seller-favorable territory. The supply drawdown continued to come from rapid absorption rather than sellers pulling listings.

San Diego’s inventory remains below its pre-pandemic baseline of 10,000–12,000 active listings, even after nearly doubling from its 2023 low near 5,000. National inventory sits closer to its historical norms. The persistent gap gives San Diego sellers structural pricing power, but the softening in pendings points to the tightest conditions having passed.

Non-Luxury Tier Led Volume Growth; Bottom Tier Prices Fell Again

Redfin analysis of MLS data • Rolling three-month period (May-July 2026)

The non-luxury tier (35th–65th percentile, median $909,244) posted the strongest volume growth at over 14% year over year, with homes selling in 24 days. The high tier saw the largest jump in above-list activity, gaining 6.3 percentage points. Luxury homes ($3.78M median) sold 24% more than a year ago but moved in 32 days, with less aggressive bidding than the middle tiers.

At the bottom, prices fell 2% and homes sat 46 days—well above the county median. The starter tier was essentially flat on price and volume. Competition concentrated between $650,000 and $1.5 million, where days on market ranged from 24 to 30 and above-list rates ran between 35% and 41%. Buyers in the sub-$650,000 range faced fewer competing offers but longer waits.

How Buyers and Sellers Can Navigate the San Diego County, CA Housing Market

If you’re buying in San Diego County, prepare for speed and competition. The median home went pending in 28 days, and over a third sold above asking. Mortgage pre-approval before touring is essential, and offers at or above list attracted the fastest responses. The non-luxury tier between $650,000 and $1.5 million remained the most competitive segment. Buyers willing to stretch toward luxury or look in the starter segment may find slightly more room to negotiate.

If you’re selling, the data supported confident pricing. Active listings fell 5.6%, months of supply sat at 3.0, and homes moved in under a month. New listings barely grew, keeping competition among sellers muted. Price accurately from the start: the pullback in pending sales means that overpricing carries real risk heading into fall. Homes that missed the initial window may sit longer as buyer activity narrows.

San Diego County, CA Market Data by City

Rolling three-month period (June-August 2026). Cities with 50+ sales shown.

This article has been generated, in whole or in part, using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology, with input from Redfin head of economics research Chen Zhao. While efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of this information, you should independently verify all data, facts, and citations contained in this article before relying on it for any purpose. This information is not a substitute for advice from a real estate agent, financial advisor, or other licensed professional. County-level data is not seasonally adjusted. Check the Redfin Data Center for additional in-depth housing market data.

The post San Diego County, CA Housing Market Update: August 2026 appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.