What is the median home price in San Diego?

The median home price in San Diego, CA is currently in the $895k – $995k range (data as of 2026-04). For fix-and-flip investors, distressed acquisition typically runs 65–80% of median, depending on submarket and condition.

What is a good cap rate in San Diego?

Stabilized rental cap rates in San Diego, CA typically fall in the 3.5% – 4.8% range as of 2026-04. Higher cap rates are common in older / B-tier submarkets, lower in A-tier neighborhoods with strong appreciation.

What is the average days on market in San Diego?

Days on market in San Diego, CA currently runs 30 – 45 days (data as of 2026-04). Faster DOM favors Fix & Flip exits; slower DOM (60+ days) usually pushes operators toward BRRRR or rental hold.

What is the average rent in San Diego?

Median rent in San Diego, CA is $2,950 – $3,650 / mo as of 2026-04. The most relevant rental benchmark for BRRRR is the 1% rule (monthly rent ≥ 1% of all-in cost) — verify against submarket-specific rent comps before underwriting.

Market · CA · 2026 data

Fix and Flip in San Diego, CA

ADU-first; supply-constrained market with persistent appreciation.

San Diego market thesis

San Diego is structurally supply-constrained (geography + Coastal Commission) — appreciation has been one of the strongest in the country over a decade horizon. ADU plays are the cleanest fix-and-flip alternative, with the city actively permitting bonus ADUs above state minimums.

Key metrics

$895k – $995k

Median home price

DealIntel · 2026-04

$2,950 – $3,650 / mo

Median rent

DealIntel · 2026-04

30 – 45 days

Days on market (median)

DealIntel · 2026-04

3.5% – 4.8%

Stabilized cap rate range

DealIntel · 2026-04

$95 – $180

Typical rehab cost / sqft

DealIntel · 2026-04

+38% to +48%

5-year appreciation

DealIntel · 2026-04

+0.3% / yr

Population growth (annual)

BLS · 2026-04

Top investor neighborhoods in San Diego

North ParkADU + craftsman flip, walkable
City HeightsSub-$700k entry, ADU bonus zone
EncantoMulti-unit conversion territory
Linda VistaMid-tier flip, USD/SDSU adjacent
Chula VistaSuburban family-buyer flip

Best strategies for San Diego

Of DealIntel's six underwritten strategies, the following rank best-fit-first for San Diego, CA. Every property in the platform is scored against all six paths in parallel; these are the ones that consistently produce the highest risk-adjusted return in this market.

Tailwinds — what's working in San Diego

Biotech + military + tourism employment base
City of SD bonus ADU program (one extra ADU above state min in some zones)
Persistent appreciation floor from supply constraint

Kill flags — common ways San Diego deals fail

Coastal Commission permit timelines
Hillside / Sensitive Lands designations
Rent control on most stock 15+ years old (AB 1482)

DealIntel's 25-point kill list catches these and 20+ others on every property — see the platform overview for how the kill list runs before strategy evaluation begins.

ADU and multi-unit regulation in San Diego

Same California state ADU framework as LA. San Diego additionally runs a Bonus ADU Program in transit-priority areas allowing additional units beyond state minimums.

For state-by-state ADU and middle-housing regulatory background, see the ADU strategy guide and the multi-unit conversion guide.

Underwrite a deal in this market

Run a free ARV, MAO, or BRRRR calculation on a San Diego property using the calculators below. For full kill-list + six-strategy evaluation + Investment Memorandum PDF, see pricing — pay-per-deal from $149.

ARV calculatorConfidence-weighted comp method MAO (70% rule) calculatorMaximum allowable offer math BRRRR calculatorFull Buy-Rehab-Rent-Refi-Repeat model Cap rate calculatorNOI / value with asset-class ranges

Nearby markets and related guides

Reviewed by

DealIntel Research

Underwriting and Real Estate Research Team

DealIntel's underwriting team builds and maintains the platform's six-strategy engine, 25-point kill list, and Monte-Carlo financial model. Every piece of long-form content on dealintel.io is reviewed by an underwriter with direct experience scoring residential investment deals.

Last reviewed: 2026-04