RANK #920 / 996 NAT · #35 / 43 CA · POP 3,289,701
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +11%
With over 70 miles of coastline and a mild Mediterranean climate, San Diego County is known for its outdoor lifestyle and diverse natural scenery. The county, located in the southwest corner of California bordering Mexico, is home to cities like Del Mar, known for its beaches and cliffs, and La Mesa, nicknamed "The Jewel of the Hills" for its topography and historic downtown. Commute options include major interstates, as well as the MTS bus and trolley system and the COASTER commuter train, which connects coastal communities. Residents have access to numerous parks, trails, and water activities, including beaches, Balboa Park, and the San Diego Botanic Garden.
Life in San Diego County offers a blend of urban amenities and natural escapes. The region attracts families, young professionals, and retirees, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare and social assistance, which saw significant job growth in 2025. While the area experiences high housing costs, there is ongoing investment in commercial and residential development, energy, and infrastructure. San Diego County's diverse economy and strategic location contribute to its overall resilience.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Prices declining
Prices detached from rents
Housing looks overvalued at 8.9x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 Expansion
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
|
$3,800M | Under Construction |
|
Seaport San Diego
Undisclosed (Developer Group)
|
$3,600M | Under Construction |
|
SDG&E Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Portfolio
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)
|
$482M | Under Construction |
|
Ocotillo Wells Solar and Battery Storage
VC Renewables
|
$66M | Operating |
|
DataBank SAN1 Data Center Expansion
DataBank
|
$50M | Completed |
|
Harmony Grove Village South
Undisclosed (Developer)
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — San Diego County scores just 7/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #920 of 996 counties. Job growth at +0.7% and median household income of $96,974 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Affordability is a real challenge in San Diego County. The median home is valued at $725,200 — with an income-to-home-value ratio of just 0.13, that's significantly harder to afford than in most U.S. counties. Median rent runs $2,011/month.
Population and employment in San Diego County are both close to flat — population -0.2% YoY and jobs +0.7%. Home values shifted -2.1% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
Not particularly — 1.83% of San Diego County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.