University Heights Market ReportSeptember 2026
Houses are tight; prices have eased from last year. Monthly figures for University Heights from the San Diego MLS, with current mortgage rates and what they mean for buyers and sellers.
Houses are tight; prices have eased from last year
Supply in 92116 tightened. 27 houses were for sale at the end of September, down 23%, which is 2.2 months of supply. Contracts are up, too — 122 pending house sales so far this year versus 107 last year.
Prices have eased, though. The September house median was $1,187,000, and the year-to-date median is $1,337,000, down 8.4% from 2025. Sellers are still getting 97.8% of original list on average this year, so the softer median reflects which homes are selling as much as weaker demand.
Condo activity is thin: 58 condo sales so far this year, down 29%, and new condo listings are down 36%. The year-to-date condo median is $607,500.
Where University Heights moved
The full University Heights numbers
Houses (detached) · ZIP 92116
| Metric | Sep 2025 | Sep 2026 | Change | YTD 2025 | YTD 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New listings | 23 | 26 | +13.0% | 227 | 189 | −16.7% |
| Pending sales | 17 | 17 | 0.0% | 107 | 122 | +14.0% |
| Closed sales | 11 | 14 | +27.3% | 100 | 110 | +10.0% |
| Median sales price | $1,435,000 | $1,187,000 | −17.3% | $1,460,000 | $1,337,000 | −8.4% |
| % of original list price received | 97.1% | 94.9% | −2.3% | 96.8% | 97.8% | +1.0% |
| Days on market until sale | 14 | 26 | +85.7% | 26 | 28 | +7.7% |
| Homes for sale (inventory) | 35 | 27 | −22.9% | — | — | — |
| Months supply of inventory | 2.9 | 2.2 | −24.1% | — | — | — |
Condos & townhomes (attached) · ZIP 92116
| Metric | Sep 2025 | Sep 2026 | Change | YTD 2025 | YTD 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New listings | 11 | 5 | −54.5% | 153 | 98 | −35.9% |
| Pending sales | 5 | 5 | 0.0% | 82 | 62 | −24.4% |
| Closed sales | 6 | 3 | −50.0% | 82 | 58 | −29.3% |
| Median sales price | $572,225 | $706,559 | +23.5% | $615,000 | $607,500 | −1.2% |
| % of original list price received | 100.4% | 99.9% | −0.5% | 99.2% | 98.3% | −0.9% |
| Days on market until sale | 19 | 23 | +21.1% | 32 | 28 | −12.5% |
| Homes for sale (inventory) | 22 | 20 | −9.1% | — | — | — |
| Months supply of inventory | 2.6 | 3.1 | +19.2% | — | — | — |
YTD = January through September. Inventory and months of supply are end-of-month figures, so they have no year-to-date value.
University Heights versus San Diego County
| Segment | Median price, YTD | % of list, YTD | Days on market, YTD | Months of supply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses · 92116 | $1,337,000 | 97.8% | 28 | 2.2 |
| Condos · 92116 | $607,500 | 98.3% | 28 | 3.1 |
| Houses · County | $1,100,000 | 98.5% | 36 | 2.4 |
| Condos · County | $665,000 | 97.5% | 44 | 4.0 |
See the San Diego County market report for the countywide trend.
What the money costs right now
Mortgage rates moved up sharply in late September. The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate a quarter point on September 16, to 3.75% to 4.00%, and Freddie Mac's 30-year average reached 7.40% on October 8, 2026. Compared with a year ago, that adds roughly 12% to the monthly principal and interest on the same loan.
Estimated monthly principal & interest, 20% down
| Price point | Price | Loan | Loan type | At 7.40% | At 6.30% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Heights house median, YTD | $1,337,000 | $1,069,600 | High-balance conforming | $7,406 | $6,621 |
| University Heights condo median, YTD | $607,500 | $486,000 | Conforming | $3,365 | $3,008 |
Principal and interest only, 30-year fixed, 20% down. Excludes property taxes, insurance, HOA dues and mortgage insurance. Rates are national weekly averages from Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, not a quote; jumbo and high-balance loans are often priced differently. Loan limits from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), 2026.
For sellers and buyers in University Heights
If you're selling
- Low supply works for you, but buyers are paying less than at last year's peak. Price to 2026 sales.
- Homes are selling in about four weeks on average.
- Few new condo listings means a well-presented unit can stand out.
If you're buying
- Expect competition for houses with only 2.2 months of supply.
- At 7.40%, principal and interest on the September house median ($1,187,000) runs about $6,570 a month with 20% down.
- Prices are below last year's, which can offset some of the higher rate.
Common questions about the University Heights market
Is University Heights a buyer's or seller's market right now?
In ZIP 92116, houses had 2.2 months of supply at the end of September 2026, a seller's market, and condos had 3.1 months, a balanced market. Months of supply measures how long current listings would last at the recent sales pace; under three months favors sellers, three to six is balanced, and over six favors buyers.
What is the median home price in University Heights?
In ZIP 92116, the median house price was $1,187,000 in September 2026 and $1,337,000 for the year to date (−8.4% from 2025). The condo median was $706,559 in September and $607,500 year to date. Because only a few homes sell each month, the year-to-date median is the more reliable guide.
How much is the monthly payment on a median-priced home in University Heights?
At the October 8, 2026 Freddie Mac average of 7.40% for a 30-year fixed loan, principal and interest on the year-to-date house median of $1,337,000 is about $7,406 a month with 20% down, versus about $6,621 at last year's 6.30%. Taxes, insurance and any HOA dues are extra.
Why does this University Heights report use ZIP code 92116?
University Heights is split between ZIP codes 92103 and 92116. The San Diego MLS reports 92116 as Kensington and Normal Heights, so these figures describe the wider 92116 area rather than University Heights alone. The San Diego MLS publishes its monthly market updates by ZIP code, which keeps the numbers consistent from month to month. For a closer read on a specific street, John can pull recent sales directly from the MLS.
What does this mean for your home?
ZIP-level numbers can't price a specific house. John can walk you through recent sales on your street in University Heights and what they mean for you.
Call (619) 518-5421Get a free home valuationRead John's University Heights neighborhood guide · San Diego County market report