Housing Costs: San Diego County Median Home Requires High Income
The California Association of Realtors reports that local households need a $274,000 annual income to cover payments on the $1.07 million median home.
By Cecilia Martin ·
Households in San Diego County required an annual income of $274,000 to afford a median-priced, existing single-family home during the third quarter of 2026, according to data from the California Association of Realtors.
The median sale price for such homes in the county reached $1.07 million. This price point translates to a monthly housing cost of $6,850, a figure that includes mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, and insurance.
Across the state, affordability remains tight. Only 19% of California households can currently afford a median-priced, existing single-family home. This percentage held steady from the second quarter of 2026 and the third quarter of 2025. Lower home prices helped balance out higher mortgage rates, keeping average monthly housing costs flat compared to the previous quarter.
The association noted that high prices and interest rates continue to pressure buyers. The report indicated that persistent inflation may limit how much mortgage rates drop in the coming months, which could further restrict purchasing power for potential homeowners.
The required income to buy a typical California home has stayed above $200,000 for 15 of the last 16 quarters. Additionally, the average monthly housing payment in California is more than double the national average of $2,760.
Further details on the study are available on the California Association of Realtors website.
Source: Community Paper
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