San Diego, California, a beachside haven, is one of the top locations for those looking to rent or buy a home in the state. With calming views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay, stellar fish tacos, California burritos, and endless ways to spend your days, it shouldn’t come as a shock that nearly 1 million people are living in San Diego. If you’re considering buying a home or renting an apartment in San Diego, keep in mind that the median home sale price is $900,000 and the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,890.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry. We’ve got options to help you find a home. We’ve collected the 8 best affordable San Diego suburbs to consider living in. And the best part is that they’re all less than 30 minutes away from the city center. If you decide to live in any of these suburbs, you’ll still be close enough to San Diego to explore the city’s great neighborhoods without the price of living there.
#1: Winter Gardens
Median home price: $605,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 25 minutes
Winter Gardens, CA homes for sale
Winter Gardens, CA apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $605,000, Winter Gardens lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable San Diego suburb. Only a 25-minute drive away from San Diego, you can comfortably live in the suburb and still experience what the city offers.
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#2: El Cajon
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Median home price: $712,500
Driving distance from San Diego: 20 minutes
El Cajon, CA homes for sale
El Cajon, CA apartments for rent
20 minutes away from downtown, you’ll find yourself in El Cajon. The city’s name means “the box” in Spanish, which describes the valley in which El Cajon is located. From parks and outdoor recreation to supporting local businesses, many things make El Cajon a great place to live. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable suburb, make sure to visit the Olaf Wieghorst Museum.
“El Cajon, CA is a great place for people who enjoy the festivities that come with the city. From the Mother Goose Parade to HauntFest, classic car nights to outdoor concerts, movies in the park to America on Main Street multi-cultural celebration, there is something for everyone in El Cajon. To find more information about what’s going on in the area, check out East County Magazine for articles and calendar listings of local events.”
#3: National City
Median home price: $715,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 10 minutes
National City, CA homes for sale
National City, CA apartments for rent
A little more expensive than El Cajon is none other than National City. Home to 62,000 residents, this suburb is the second oldest community in San Diego and is full of rich history. Whether you decide to move to or visit National City, be sure to check out the four buildings in the city that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Granger Music Hall, Brick Row on Heritage Square, St. Matthews Episcopal Church, and the Santa Fe Rail Depot.
#4: Chula Vista
Median home price: $731,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 15 minutes
Chula Vista, CA homes for sale
Chula Vista, CA apartments for rent
Only a 15-minute drive into the city, consider adding Chula Vista to your list of San Diego suburbs to see. With 285,500 residents, moving to this affordable suburb can keep you close enough to San Diego without paying the premium for a home there. Chula Vista features more than 52 square miles of coastal landscape, canyons, rolling hills, mountains, quality parks, and miles of trails. The area is also known for its great attractions, including the Living Coast Discovery Center and Aquatica San Diego.
“Head to Chula Vista Bayside Park for an inexpensive and pleasant experience,” shares California Beautiful. “San Diego has the perfect spots for you to appreciate nature without hurting your wallet.”
“At Bayside Park in Chula Vista, I love taking advantage of the beautiful scenery and pleasant weather,” recommends SDtoday. “From the Coronado Bridge to the city skyline, the views of San Diego Bay are amazing. Plus, there’s plenty of space for a picnic, activities, and even fishing – all without costing a cent.”
“My family loves to take advantage of the gorgeous weather in Chula Vista by visiting the Third Avenue Village Market for some fresh food and then having a picnic at Chula Vista Bayside Park,” suggests San Diego Moms. “The park has stunning views that make it the perfect spot for a family outing. There are also several other farmers markets throughout the week, so there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the area.”
#5: Lemon Grove (tie)
Median home price: $740,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 15 minutes
Lemon Grove, CA homes for sale
Lemon Grove, CA apartments for rent
Located to the east of San Diego is the suburb of Lemon Grove, where the home prices are about $150K less than in San Diego. Home to 26,500 residents, Lemon Grove is known for its 3000-pound lemon monument that sits near the Orange Line trolley tracks. The area also features a variety of local shops and mom-and-pop restaurants for residents to enjoy.
#6: Santee (tie)
Median home price: $740,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 25 minutes
Santee, CA homes for sale
Santee, CA apartments for rent
The next post on our list of affordable San Diego suburbs is Santee, which is roughly 25 minutes away from downtown. With a population of about 58,500, you’ll live in a smaller area, but there’s no shortage of things to experience in Santee. Don’t miss out on visiting Big Rock Park and checking out the Creation & Earth History Museum once moving here.
#7: Mira Mesa
Median home price: $800,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 25 minutes
Mira Mesa, CA homes for sale
Mira Mesa, CA apartments for rent
Mira Mesa is a great place to consider moving to that will get you access to downtown San Diego in just about 25 minutes. Close to 44,000 people live in this neighborhood. Attractions in Mira Mesa include exploring Hourglass Community Park and San Diego Ice Arena.
“The Miramar Air Show, located in Mira Mesa, San Diego, is my favorite affordable family activity,” shares Fab Everyday. “The show is the largest military air show in the US and is sure to impress with its incredible sights. There are different ticketing options available at various prices, but general admission is free of cost. No matter if you’re a Top Gun fan, an aviation enthusiast, or just someone looking for an exciting experience, you won’t want to miss out on this amazing show.”
#8: Escondido
Median home price: $805,000
Driving distance from San Diego: 30 minutes
Escondido, CA homes for sale
Escondido, CA apartments for rent
Escondido takes the last spot on our list of affordable San Diego suburbs. Without traffic, you’ll find yourself in San Diego in roughly 30 minutes. This suburb has a population of 151,000 and is home to San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Dixon Lake, and Daley Ranch. You’ll have plenty of activities to explore during your free time living in this great suburb.
“Exploring Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in Escondido is an amazing and affordable experience,” says Milana’s Travels. “Stroll around and marvel at the captivating sculptures – all for free. It’s truly a hidden gem.”
Additionally, San Diego Mamas insists, “Dixon Lake located in Escondido is an amazing secret. It is an incredible park and lake with a campground, and our family has had many unforgettable camping trips there. Despite being in the heart of the city, when you’re at Dixon Lake you feel like you’re in an entirely different world.”
Located in Escondido, “the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum is an excellent spot to spend the day with little ones. It features various interactive and educational activities tailored to children of all ages, plus special discounts.”
6 Affordable things to do in San Diego
1. Balboa Park
“Balboa Park, a stunning urban park close to the heart of San Diego, is a joy for visitors to explore. It houses an array of museums, performing art venues, and botanic gardens, and offers free admission to several of its museums on certain Tuesdays of each month.” Giving Back Magazine
“Exploring the museums in Balboa Park, San Diego, with my children is my favorite budget-friendly activity,” states Absolute Winery. “This park offers a great combination of stunning gardens, interesting museums, and other cultural attractions.”
The team at San Diego DISCOVER has some great budget-friendly ideas for your next trip. “Start by playing disc golf at the Morley Field Golf Course in Balboa Park for only $5.00, then take a kayak out on the bay for one hour for $25 (single) or $30 (tandem). After that, head to Pure Brewing in North Park for $3.00 craft beer tasters. Finally, don’t miss out on the Farmers Market in Little Italy and a stroll down the Mission Beach Boardwalk.”
2. The San Diego Botanical Garden
“San Diego is a very spiritually rich area with charming natural sceneries. We love spending time outdoors without breaking the bank.” Cardiff Vacations says, “a great way to do this is to have a peaceful day at the beach or explore the San Diego Botanical Garden.”
3. Lake Poway
“Lake Poway is a great spot for a budget-friendly day out – you can go hiking up to the renowned Potato Chip Rock, enjoy picnics in the shade of its huge trees, or rent a paddle boat and go trout fishing” shares So Diego Tours. “But that’s not all – the Poway Midland Railroad is located in a large park and gives visitors the chance to ride vintage trains, including a steam locomotive. My personal favorite hiking trail begins at Lake Poway, where it climbs up 2,900 feet to the peak of Mount Woodson. It’s definitely a must-do if you’re in Poway.”
4. The San Diego coastline
“Experience San Diego’s breathtaking coastline on your bike,” recommends Top Rope Media. “Pedal north from Torrey Pines State Beach or Solana Beach through Encinitas, Leucadia, and Carlsbad, finishing up at Oceanside Harbor Village. The entire journey is 27 miles one way, but you can turn around whenever you’re ready. Pack all the beach essentials like sunblock, hat, water, bathing suit, and a towel so you can take a dip at Fletcher’s Cove, Moonlight Beach, or Swamis. Enjoy the amazing views and fresh ocean air on this unforgettable ride.”
5. San Diego museums
“This February, visit San Diego and take advantage of the amazing San Diego Museum Month. With half-off admission to more than 60 museums, you can explore the USS Midway Museum, the Fleet Science Center, and many more. Even better – there are over 20 museums that are free all year round, with rotating Tuesdays each month offering free admission to 10 Balboa Park museums for San Diego residents. Get your pass from any San Diego public library or online at San Diego Museum Council and enjoy the fun.”
6. Go San Diego Pass
“With the Go San Diego Pass, you can save a substantial amount of money on admission to many of San Diego’s attractions,” shares Food Family and Chaos. “This pass offers multiple packages to suit your individual needs and allows you to enjoy the city’s sights without breaking the bank. If you are planning a trip to San Diego and visiting multiple attractions, this pass is an ideal choice.”
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of San Diego and under a 30-minute drive from downtown San Diego. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during April 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com May 2022. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
Learn more about San Diego:
15 Hot Spots and Can’t-Miss Hidden Gems in San Diego
12 Beautiful Places in San Diego Locals Rave About
10 Fun Facts About San Diego: How Well Do You Know Your City?
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