One way to determine if home prices are falling or increasing in a particular region is to compare the median price of homes in a community against the median price a year ago. The median price is a mid-point, where half the homes are above that price and half are below.

The communities that comprise Central San Diego County are listed below. The communities are organized based whether or not they had an increase or decrease in the median price compared to August 2005. The percent change increase or decrease from the previous year is also noted.

Communities That Had an Increase in the Median Price

Golden Hill: $500,000 (23.5% increase from August 2005)

Old Town: $700,000 (11.6% increase from August 2005

San Carlos: $620,000 (10.7% increase from August 2005)

Point Loma: $1,340,625 (7.7% increase from August 2005)

La Jolla: $1,650,000 (5.3% increase from August 2005)

Logan Heights$410,000 (5.1% increase from August 2005)

Communities That Had a Decrease in the Median Price

Sorrento Valley: $616,000 (-25.7% decrease from August 2005)

Del Cerro: $505,000(-20.5% decrease from August 2005)

Coronado: $1,400,000 (-20.0% decrease from August 2005)

Mission Valley: $500,000 (-18.7% decrease from August 2005)

Pacific Beach: $786,000 (-17.3% decrease from August 2005)

Ocean Beach: $817,000 (-14.5% decrease from August 2005)

University City: $680,000 (-13.8% decrease from August 2005)

Tierrasanta: $650,000 (-12.4% decrease from August 2005)

College Grove: $477,500 (-7.3% decrease from August 2005)

Mira Mesa: $499,000 (-7.2% decrease from August 2005)

North Park: $575,000 (-6.7% decrease from August 2005)

Paradise Hills: $462,500 (-5.6% decrease from August 2005)

City Heights: $400,000 (-5.5% decrease from August 2005)

Scripps Miramar: $695,000 (-5.4% decrease from August 2005)

Linda Vista: $530,000 (-4.5% decrease from August 2005)

Normal Heights: $540,000 (-4.0% decrease from August 2005)

Clairemont: $535,000 (-2.7% decrease from August 2005)

Encanto: $445,000 (-2.5% decrease from August 2005)

Mission Hills: $745,000 (-0.3% decrease from August 2005)

The median price is just one measure to evaluate the condition of a real estate market. A qualified real estate agent can provide you additional insights about factors that influence home prices. Be sure to contact a Realtor before buying or selling real estate in San Diego.