San Diego, CA vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria: Housing Market Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side Alpha Scores, affordability, momentum, supply, jobs, and rental yield · scores computed September 2026
San Diego, CA vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria side by side
| Metric | ● San Diego, CA | ● Washington-Arlington-Alexandria |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Score | 30 | 37 |
| Price Momentum | 47 | 44 |
| Inventory Health | 41band 5 of 5 | 45band 5 of 5 |
| Affordability | 2 | 19 |
| Economic Strength | 46 | 53 |
| Rental Yield | 4 | 18 |
| Median Sale Price (Redfin) | $913K | — |
| Months of Supply (Redfin) | 3 | — |
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria compare, dimension by dimension
- Affordability: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — San Diego, CA 2/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 19/100.
- Price Momentum: San Diego, CA leads — San Diego, CA 47/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 44/100.
- Inventory Health: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — San Diego, CA 41/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 45/100.
- Economic Strength: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — San Diego, CA 46/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 53/100.
- Rental Yield: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria leads — San Diego, CA 4/100 vs Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 18/100.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a higher Alpha Score, San Diego, CA or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria scores higher — 37 vs 30 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria more affordable?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is more affordable on our affordability dimension.
Which housing market has stronger momentum, San Diego, CA or Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
San Diego, CA has stronger price momentum — 47/100 vs 44/100.
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria brief.