The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 92116 sells for about $1,300,000, or $792 per square foot.
Prices are down 3.6% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $3,200 a month.
ZIP 92116 — San Diego
The 92116 housing market is currently experiencing a period of price stabilization after years of rapid growth, with inventory remaining tight. While the Kensington area maintains premium pricing, the broader ZIP code shows signs of cooling as days on market have increased. Overall, the market remains competitive due to limited supply and high demand for the area's historic urban character.
This ZIP is ideal for young professionals, established families, and urban-minded buyers who value historic character, walkability, and proximity to San Diego's central employment hubs.
Median prices moved down 3.6% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 0.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
25% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 9.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 92116, San Diego County, CA
Crime in the 92116 area, which includes Kensington and Normal Heights, generally follows urban trends for San Diego with property crime being the primary concern; it is considered comparable to other established mid-city neighborhoods.
Schools serving the area are part of the San Diego Unified School District, with performance varying by specific school site; many families in the area utilize local public options or seek private alternatives.
The area is primarily urban with low wildfire risk compared to inland San Diego County, though standard California earthquake and occasional localized flood risks for low-lying areas apply.
Economic momentum is driven by the proximity to San Diego's urban core and major employment hubs like Mission Valley and Downtown, with ongoing infill development and renovation of historic housing stock.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (California) — Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax Assessment: Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. State (California) — California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). State (California) — California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property Tax: Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%). County (San Diego County, California) — Secured Property Tax Lien: Taxes attach to the property as a lien on January 1st (Lien Date) each year. Failure to pay can result in the sale of the property to satisfy the tax obligation. County (San Diego County, California) — Ad Valorem Property Tax (Proposition 13): The base tax rate is 1% of the assessed value, plus voter-approved debt service rates.
Residents benefit from excellent access to the I-15 and I-8 corridors, providing efficient transit to major employment centers in Downtown San Diego, Mission Valley, and Kearny Mesa.
The area features significant access to local parks like Ward Canyon Park and proximity to the historic Kensington and Normal Heights commercial districts, offering a dense mix of dining, shopping, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The rental market is highly competitive with low vacancy rates, driven by high demand from young professionals and students; short-term rental activity is regulated by city ordinances.
The local economy is anchored by the broader San Diego regional economy, with significant employment in healthcare, education, technology, and government sectors.
The area is well-served by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) bus routes and provides quick access to major regional highway interchanges.
Development is largely characterized by infill and density increases in line with the City of San Diego's Climate Action Plan and housing element updates.
The San Diego County Assessor's office manages property valuations based on the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Parcels are subject to San Diego Unified School District taxes and various municipal service districts.
Property insurance remains stable but is subject to regional adjustments based on California's broader insurance market conditions and hazard mitigation requirements.
Data retrieved from Census Reporter and data.census.gov ZCTA profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
A major community park featuring sports fields and walking paths.
A historic commercial district known for its local boutiques and restaurants.
A major corridor known for its vibrant nightlife, cafes, and annual street fair.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.
Governs Villa Portofino
Planned unit development covenants requiring architectural review approval prior to exterior alterations, strict common-element parking rules, restrictions on short-term leasing, and pet limitation rules.
Governs La Jolla Colony
Architectural review guidelines governing exterior modifications, restrictions against public nuisances, designated vehicle parking regulations, pet policies, and residential leasing subject to association rules.
Governs Carmel Mountain Ranch
Standard master-planned residential restrictions including mandatory architectural review for modifications, restrictions against commercial business operations visible to the exterior, vehicle parking guidelines, and leasing compliance rules.
90-day research cycle · governing documents remain with their official custodians — the association, its management portal or the county clerk's recording.