San Diego Housing Market Update — May 2026

• Contracts Surge, Inventory Splits •

The San Diego housing market rallied in May, as pending sales activity spiked and inventory conditions veered between detached homes & attached units. Even with affordability remaining a factor, Buyers and Sellers aligned on home sale prices as the market moved toward summer.

Market trends split by property type for the sixth consecutive month, branching by building style and location. Detached homes faced a relatively tight supply, while condos and townhomes offered a bounty of listings for sale, adding more selection and room to negotiate in several San Diego neighborhoods. 

Closed sales produced mixed results compared to last year in May 2025. Detached home sales eased 1.9 percent year-over-year. In contrast, attached properties, including condos & townhomes, posted a 4.0 percent increase. Detached homes sold 3.3 percent faster year-over-year at 29 days on market, while attached housing took 5.3 percent longer to sell at 40 days.

One of the strongest market metrics from May captured an uptick in pending sales activity. New contracts rose 5.0 percent for detached homes and 8.6 percent for attached homes, signaling healthy demand across a broad range of San Diego neighborhoods and price points into the warmer months ahead. 

May 2026 San Diego Housing Market Update

Home prices leveled in May, with detached housing holding firm while attached homes experienced a modest adjustment. The median sale price for detached homes finished the month at $1,099,500, nearly unchanged from $1,099,950 one year ago. This steady midpoint marks the height of the spring housing market cycle, where tight inventory supports detached home values.

Meanwhile, attached homes followed a different path. The median sale price for condos and townhouses settled at $675,000, representing a 1.5 percent year-over-year decline. Even so, attached homes offer an attractive entry point for Buyers seeking to gain equity in San Diego real estate at a more practical price. 

Housing inventory trends exposed a widening gap in supply, driving detached inventory down while attached properties continued to pile up.

The number of detached homes available for sale fell 24.7 percent compared to May 2025, limiting active inventory across many communities. Meanwhile, attached inventory increased 5.6 percent, creating a larger pool of available listings for condo & townhome Buyers.

Months of supply reflected a similar pattern. Detached housing recorded a 25.0 percent decrease, while attached housing remained unchanged year-over-year. This clear divide is actively driving different levels of competition and price pressure across the San Diego housing market.

San Diego Zip Codes with Most Homes Sold May 2026

In May, the top zip codes in San Diego County with the most home sales were:

• 92028 (Fallbrook) with 49
• 92009 (Carlsbad SE) with 41
• 92026 (Escondido North) and 92075 (Solana Beach), both with 38
• 92064 (Poway) and 92128 (Rancho Bernardo East), both with 37
• 92056 (Oceanside East) with 36

Many of the most active housing markets in San Diego were centered around North County, where Buyers favored move-in ready homes with strong price per square foot and easy commutes. The strongest sales totals emerged in coastal pockets and inland suburban neighborhoods that appeal to a broad cross-section of Buyers. 

Most Expensive House Sold in San Diego May 2026

The most expensive home sold last month during May 2026 in San Diego County was a spectacular beachfront estate along Ocean Boulevard in Coronado, featuring sweeping views of the Pacific coastline.

Built for indoor-outdoor flow, the residence centers on a seaward patio that captures vibrant south-facing sunsets and cool coastal breezes. Up top, a rooftop terrace adds a fire pit, jacuzzi, and 360-degree panoramic views overlooking the shoreline. Inside, the estate features a private elevator, dedicated office, state-of-the-art theater, and a high-scale epicurean kitchen.

The property includes multiple outdoor spaces, a built-in BBQ area, an oversized garage, and sits one block away from the iconic Hotel del Coronado. This landmark sale highlights the immense value of prime coastal real estate in San Diego.

It sold on May 6, 2026 for $28,000,000. Listed by our Compass colleagues Jan Clements and Chris Clements. MLS# 260010946.

San Diego Housing Market Real Estate Data

This snapshot of the latest San Diego real estate stats reflects activity and pricing from last month in May 2026, comparing key indicators year-over-year during May 2025. With inventory trends shifting by property type and days on market extending, Buyers are regaining some leverage.

The evolving inventory of homes available for sale is rebalancing San Diego home prices. Read on for a detailed analysis of this historical data and what impact these metrics have on Sellers, Buyers, and real estate trends around your neighborhood in San Diego.

Data on the current housing market in San Diego is compiled by the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR) through the San Diego Multiple Listing Service (SDMLS).

Sources:

https://sdar.stats.10kresearch.com/docs/mmi/2026-05/x/report?src=page

https://nsdcar.stats.10kresearch.com/docs/lmu/x/SanDiegoCounty?src=map

https://media.sdar.com/media/CurrentStats.pdf

san diego housing market update, san diego real estate today, real estate news san diego, housing market decline san diego, real estate market bubble burst, san diego housing market crash, latest update on real estate market, san diego housing market article, current housing market update san diego, san diego real estate market explained, housing market forecast san diego, housing market correction san diego, housing market going up again, why is the housing market going up again, san diego housing market news, portia green realtor, reali housing market update san diego, redfin housing market updates san diego, zillow housing market updates san diego, realtor.com housing market update san diego, realtor near me san diego, how much does it cost to sell a house in san diego, how much does it cost to buy a house in san diego, san diego real estate data, san diego housing market, how to win a bidding war in san diego, opendoor housing market updates san diego, homes.com housing market updates san diego