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

Written by

Matt Abadi

Founder, DealIntel

Matt Abadi is the founder of DealIntel. He leads the development of the platform's six-strategy underwriting engine, 25-point Kill List, and Monte-Carlo financial model — the institutional analysis stack DealIntel applies to every fix and flip deal. DealIntel was founded in 2025 with the central thesis that knowing when not to invest is the most valuable number on the page.

Last reviewed: 2026-04