Are San Diego Home Prices Still Rising? Yes, and Here Is What It Means for Your Wealth
Yes, San Diego home prices are still rising, and they are rising faster than they have in a while. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on September 29, 2026 that home prices in the San Diego metro area increased 1.63% year over year in July, the fastest annual rate in nearly a year and a half. That figure comes from the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Index, one of the most closely watched measures of home values in the country. The takeaway for homeowners: even with higher mortgage rates, San Diego homes keep building value.
What does Case-Shiller measure? It tracks repeat sales of the same single family homes, so it shows how values change rather than which homes happened to sell. San Diego's July gain stood out in the West. According to S&P Dow Jones Indices, San Diego's 1.63% annual increase outpaced Los Angeles at 1.24%, while Seattle, Las Vegas, and Denver all posted annual declines. Prices dipped 0.13% from June to July, a small monthly move in a month when S&P said seasonal factors weighed heavily on prices nationally, so the more meaningful signal is the year over year trend.
The bigger story is long term wealth. The Case-Shiller indices start at a value of 100 in January 2000, and S&P explains that the index level translates directly into appreciation since then. San Diego's July 2026 reading was 449.75. In plain terms, a typical San Diego single family home has seen roughly 350% appreciation since January 2000. That is why I call homeownership here one of the most powerful wealth builders available.
Local sales data points the same direction. The Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® reported a countywide median sales price of $965,000 in August 2026, up 7.1% from $901,000 a year earlier, with a detached home median of $1,120,000. Medians and repeat sale indexes measure different things, but both show a market that has held its value.
Does this mean prices will keep climbing? Nobody can promise that, and I never will. One economist quoted by the Union-Tribune cautioned that "if financing costs stay near 7% into the fall, the acceleration seen since spring may be difficult to sustain". I always tell my clients to plan for steady, patient growth rather than chasing headlines.
For homeowners, the first step I recommend is understanding your current equity. Equity can open options such as moving up, helping family, or investing. For my sellers, rising values are helpful, but pricing still needs to reflect today's buyer and today's rates, so I lean on recent nearby sales.
I always tell buyers the real lesson is time in the market. Waiting for the perfect moment can mean missing years of equity growth. Focus on a payment you are comfortable with, a home you love, and a long holding period. As I like to say, date the rate, marry the house.
I can help you see what your home is worth today or map out a plan to start building equity of your own.
Quick answers
Are San Diego home prices going up? Yes. The S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Index shows San Diego metro home prices up 1.63% year over year in July 2026.
How much have San Diego home values grown long term? San Diego's Case-Shiller index stood at 449.75 in July 2026 against a base of 100 in January 2000. Using S&P's own explanation (an index level of 150 equals 50% appreciation since January 2000), that works out to roughly 350% appreciation for a typical single family home.