Washington - DC vs San Diego - CA: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

San Diego - CA is roughly 63% more expensive than Washington - DC in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in San Diego - CA (25 days vs 19), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Washington vs San Diego: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $3,156 a month in principal and interest in Washington and $5,134 in San Diego, a gap of $1,978 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,407 in Washington and $2,967 in San Diego, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.3 times rent in Washington and 1.7 times rent in San Diego, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 19.7 years of rent in Washington and 26.0 in San Diego; the lower ratio in Washington means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved +0.7% in Washington and -1.8% in San Diego; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Washington and +0.3% in San Diego.

Homes sell for 99.7% of list price in Washington and 99.3% in San Diego, after 19 and 25 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 29% of listings. The signs are mixed: Washington has more price cuts, while San Diego has longer time on the market and sales further below list.

The number of homes for sale is up 12% on a year ago in Washington and down 6% on a year ago in San Diego.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.