San Diego, CA vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · as of July 2026
San Diego, CA vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue side by side
| Metric | ● San Diego, CA | ● Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 31 | 25 |
| Price Momentum | 48 | 50 |
| Inventory Health | 44 | 2 |
| Affordability | 3 | 6 |
| Economic Strength | 44 | 45 |
| Rental Yield | 7 | 26 |
| Median Sale Price | $925K | — |
| Price-to-Income | 9.0 | 6.0 |
| Payment-to-Income | 53.7% | 36.7% |
| Months of Supply | 3 | — |
| Gross Rental Yield | 2.8% | 3.4% |
| Overvaluation Index | 80 | 40 |
Highlighted = the stronger read for that metric (supply, valuation, and payment burden are better when lower). Income/rent inputs lag annually.
How San Diego, CA and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue leads — San Diego, CA 3/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 6/100.
- Price Momentum: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue leads — San Diego, CA 48/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 50/100.
- Inventory Health: San Diego, CA leads — San Diego, CA 44/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 2/100.
- Economic Strength: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue leads — San Diego, CA 44/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 45/100.
- Rental Yield: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue leads — San Diego, CA 7/100 vs Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue 26/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, San Diego, CA or Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
San Diego, CA scores higher — 31 vs 25 out of 100. The Alpha Score is a 0-100 composite of price momentum, inventory health, affordability, economic strength, and rental yield.
Is San Diego, CA or Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue more affordable?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue is more affordable on our affordability dimension. Price-to-income is 9.0 in San Diego, CA and 6.0 in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, San Diego, CA or Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has stronger price momentum — 50/100 vs 48/100.
Want to swap in other cities, change the metrics, or chart the trend over time? Customize this comparison → in the interactive Compare tool. Or read the San Diego, CA market brief and the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue brief.