Affordable Places to Live Near San Diego, CA

San Diego, CA, is known the world over for its beautiful weather and picturesque beaches. Sadly, San Diego is also known for being one of the most expensive cities in the US. Prices in San Diego have skyrocketed in the last few years and many people can no longer afford to live there. But don’t worry, we’re here to tell you the most affordable places to live near San Diego, CA! The good news is that there are several affordable neighborhoods in San Diego and the surrounding suburbs. So, if you want to experience the joys of San Diego at an affordable price, stay tuned to learn about the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego, CA

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Affordable Neighborhoods San Diego: Imperial Beach

If living close to San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico sounds great, Imperial Beach, CA, is perfect for you. Homes start at around $500,000. Although still expensive, these Imperial Beach homes offer a more affordable neighborhood to San Diego, CA. Plus, the location means you get the best of both Tijuana and San Diego and four miles of spectacular coastline to enjoy. Nothing says California living quite like a beach-front town!

Affordable Places to Live in San Diego: National City, CA

In California, finding homes under $400,000 isn’t easy. But, National City is a real gem. National City boasts many affordable neighborhoods near San Diego (only 7 miles South). And if you’re a car lover, National City has an annual National City Automobile Heritage Day Car Show. With such low prices and so close to San Diego, we think you’ll love National City.

Affordable Living Near San Diego: Santee, CA

Eighteen miles from the coast, Santee is one of the most affordable places to live near san Diego, CA. Housing prices start in the high $300s, but rental prices are still high. Santee is a quiet town located a little bit farther from the beach, but still only a short drive away. Santee is a highly rated city for families and boasts a beautiful 15-acre sports complex for all to enjoy.

Oceanside, CA

Oceanside is one of the few affordable San Diego suburbs with its own beaches. Come to Oceanside to savor the beautiful and secluded beaches. Only 40 miles from San Diego, Oceanside is the perfect beachfront town for surfers and swimmers! With housing prices starting in the low $400s, it’s not cheap by any means. Still, housing prices here make Oceanside one of the affordable places to live near San Diego, CA.

Affordable Homes Near San Diego: El Cajon, CA

Although rents in El Cajon are higher than in most San Diego suburbs, housing prices are lower. There are many homes in the high $300s and, even better, the cost of living is lower. This makes El Cajon the perfect place to settle down and buy your first home or to start a family away from the craziness of the city. El Cajon also has its own airport to make travel easier and less stressful. Plus, if you play, you’ll be jazzed to know that Taylor Guitars makes their home in El Cajon.

Escondido, CA

One of San Diego’s largest suburbs, Escondido is one of the oldest, too. Surrounded by hills, Escondido offers impressive views and several fantastic amenities. Escondido is home to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, which is a genuine gem of wildlife in crowded California. Escondido is also one of the more affordable places to live near San Diego, CA. Median home prices here start around $450,000. Escondido isn’t San Diego’s closest suburb – it’s located about 30 miles north of the city – but it is one of the most beautiful.

Affordable San Diego Living: Lemon Grove, CA

Lemon Grove’s quaint name comes from the town’s history as a thriving citrus farming community. Today, Lemon Grove is one of San Diego’s more affordable suburbs. The town’s slogan, “the Best Climate on Earth,” tells you everything you need to know about the weather here. (Hint: it’s outstanding!) Housing prices here aren’t low, but Lemon Grove is a more affordable place to live near San Diego.

Find Storage Units in San Diego, CA

La Mesa, CA

About nine miles from San Diego lies La Mesa, CA, one of the state’s most attractive suburbs. It’s so lovely that locals have taken to calling La Mesa the “Jewel of the Hills.” La Mesa’s downtown is the epitome of charm, with cozy shops and inviting bars. As for affordability, there are homes in La Mesa starting in the mid $400,000 range. That’s not bad and makes La Mesa another of the more affordable places to live near San Diego, CA.

Affordable Home Outside San Diego: Rolando Village

Rolando Village is quite close to San Diego and is one of its more historic suburbs. The town was developed in the late 1920s and is about 10 miles east of San Diego. The beautiful architecture – including the bungalow-style townhomes from the 40s and 50s – makes Rolando Village easy to love. Picture yourself walking the wide, tree-lined streets and many parks of Rolando Village! For around $500,000 you can buy a home in this gorgeous and affordable neighborhood in San Diego.

Affordable Cities Near San Diego: Poway, CA

Located about 34 miles northeast of San Diego, Poway, is one of the most loved suburbs. Beautiful green spaces, hiking trails, and bicycle paths make Poway an easy fit for an active family. Poway is also lucky to have the beautiful Lake Poway and the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve. And the housing prices? They’re not bad for California, starting in the mid $500s. Rents are lower also, making Poway, CA, one of the affordable places to live near San Diego, CA.

There are Affordable Neighborhoods in San Diego, CA!

Yes, San Diego and its suburbs are some of the most expensive to live in the United States. But, we think you’ll agree that the suburbs on our list are more affordable options near San Diego. If you keep your eye open to new opportunities, you’re sure to find a home you love that fits your budget.

Speaking of budgets, CA Storage has California storage units that are safe, clean, and, yes, affordable. We have over 40 self-storage centers in California, many near the suburbs we talked about today. All feature on-site managers, large front gates, and 24/7 video security.
You can store almost anything with CA Storage. Renting a self-storage unit makes moving much easier! Just think, you can store your furniture with us while you search for the perfect neighborhood and home. When you’re ready to settle into a new home, we will have everything safe and ready for you to move in.

If you have questions about renting a storage unit in California, chat with us online at any time. You can pay a visit to any CA Storage location and talk directly to the on-site manager, too. They’re super helpful self-storage experts who can guide you in the right direction. Until then, we wish you the best in finding an affordable place to live near San Diego, CA!


Read more on the StorAmerica blog!

1 thought on “Affordable Places to Live Near San Diego, CA”

Leave a Comment