$706,163Average Value$558Average Price per Sq Ft19Homes For Sale
A lower-priced option near downtown San Diego
A few miles south of downtown San Diego, National City's location along San Diego Naval Base and the Port of San Diego makes it a natural hub for naval and maritime personnel. But it's not just for those in the military. In addition to the convenient employment, National City’s lower prices make it popular with incoming buyers. “It feels like you’re in San Diego, but you can actually find a starter home here, which is getting more and more rare across the county,” says Realtor Paula Gonzalez with Caldwell Banker West, who’s been selling here since 2006. Even though most people move here for work, there’s still plenty of charm and activity in the city center, where late-1800s homes displaying the city’s history are a few blocks from new food halls and coffee shops.
Mid-century minimalist homes make up the majority of housing stock in National City.
National City's historic district features historic homes and museums such as this Victorian.
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Direct access to San Diego Naval Base
San Diego Naval Base and the Port of San Diego occupy the city’s waterfront. The base is the largest on the West Coast and employs almost 40,000 military and civilian workers. The neighboring port is one of the busiest shipping terminals on the coast, which attracts many logistics and distribution businesses. The base and port cover miles of San Diego’s waterfront. Local employees can get to the different entrances by driving on Interstate 5, taking the Light Rail Train from Eighth Street Station or catching the bus at the nearest stop. “The freeway access is a big draw,” says Gonzalez. “You’re 10 minutes from downtown and 10 minutes from the border.” Downtown San Diego is 6 miles north by train or the 5, and San Diego International Airport is also downtown. Paradise Valley Hospital is the nearest large medical facility on the east end of East Fourth Street.
A National City residential neighborhood as seen from above.
MTS serves National City and is a quick way for residents to reach San Diego in minutes.
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Plenty of starter options, old and new
National City’s median home price is around $700,000. Homes at that price are few and far between in downtown San Diego, but there are still plenty in National City. Small cottages and ranch-style homes make up most of the options on the city blocks, and condos and townhouses often start well below the median. A bit more variety can be found around the city center. “The older side of town around the city center has some beautiful older homes,” says Gonzalez. “I recently sold a gorgeous Craftsman that was over 100 years old.” These early-1900s Craftsman and Spanish-style homes often have more yard space, bringing prices closer to $1 million.
Ranch homes are quite common in the established neighborhoods of National City.
Home styles of National City include Spanish Colonial as seen in this stately home.
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Storied restaurants and new food halls in the city center
Most of National City’s dining and activity can be found around the city center. Thoroughfares, like Highland Avenue, have spots steeped in local lore, like Café La Maze. This 1940s steakhouse gained its reputation as a celebrity hangout back in the day, and it still has the red-leather banquettes and portraits to prove it. East Eighth Street is home to newer additions, like Market on 8th, a food hall with stalls serving different beers and bites. The city center also has supermarkets, Latin grocers and seafood markets.
National City's Public Market features dozens of vendors including a sleek coffee shop.
Giant New York Pizza offers pizzas up to 28'' big in Lincoln Acres.
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Community parks and bayfront activity
The city is home to several large community parks and bayfront recreation spaces. Kimball Park provides acres of green space, walking paths and Little League fields in the city center. The city’s Arts Center and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center also sit on its footprint. Pepper Park is at the south end of the city’s waterfront, where the Sweetwater River meets San Diego Bay. It has a fishing pier, boat launch and a playground. Coronado Beach — a filming site for “Top Gun: Maverick” — is 7 miles across the bay. National City benefits from the San Diego area’s famously temperate climate. Aside from the cloudy morning marine layer, it’s almost always in the 70s and sunny.
Butterfly Park located in the National City neighborhood.
With well-maintained facilities, Las Palmas Park is ideal for picnics and family gatherings.
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Brick Row showcases the city’s history
The city’s older charm is evident on Brick Row. On this meandering block of Avenue A, a row of late-1800s brick rowhouses display gothic revival architecture that’s mostly disappeared in the San Diego area. The larger homes across the way display the period’s variety of architecture, including Queen Anne, Craftsman and Carpenter Gothic designs. The expansive Craftsman anchoring the row of homes is the Frank Kimball House, now a museum exhibiting the city’s history.
These historic, brick row-homes were built in 1887.
New construction condominiums can be found closer to the bay.
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A-minus-rated Sweetwater Union High School District
National City’s public-school pipeline goes through two districts. The National Elementary School District serves students from kindergarten to sixth grade and receives a C overall rating from Niche. Middle and high schools are part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, which earns an A-minus grade from Niche and ranks in the top 10 districts in the San Diego area.
Slightly higher crime than San Diego
The National City Police Department serves the city. According to the department’s last reported statistics in 2022, National City had a violent crime rate of about 5 offenses per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of about 20 per 1,000. These numbers are slightly higher than San Diego’s 2022 reports, which state a violent crime rate of 4 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 17 per 1,000.
Written By
Ed Coombs
Photography Contributed By
Michael Hirsch
Video By
Luke Basinger
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Alice Greliak,
an experienced agent in this area.
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On average, homes in National City, CA sell after 32 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in National City, CA over the last 12 months is $707,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This meticulous home is a great blend of comfort, style, and convenience, and it’s absolutely move-in ready! Gleaming hardwood floors and an abundance of natural light create a warm and welcoming space. Conveniently located just minutes from schools, El Toyon Park and Recreation Center, shopping, eateries, and public transportation, it also offers easy freeway access. The layout is both
Welcome home to 801 National City Boulevard. The home features one bedroom, one bathroom, a living area with beautiful laminate floors, a kitchen with stainless steel sink, faucets, granite counters, and a mini refrigerator. The full bathroom boasts a modern walk-in shower with sliding glass doors and a sink set in a granite counter. The patio off the primary suite provides additional seating and
This delightful 2-bedroom, 2-bath home offers approximately 960 square feet of comfortable living space. Step inside to a spacious living room with brand-new flooring throughout, beautifully renovated bathrooms, and a newly installed garbage disposal for added convenience. The community is quiet, well-maintained, and pet-friendly, providing access to a clubhouse and additional amenities that
Three detached units, all recently remodeled. Unit 1329: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath with laundry area, private parking, and backyard. Remodeled in 2025 with new flooring and paint. Projected rent: $2,600. Unit 1333: 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, laundry hookup, and a new deck with a nice view. Fully remodeled with new siding, paint, flooring, and kitchen cabinets. Unit 1335: Approx. 1,000 SF leased to an appliance
Welcome to Bonita Willows! This beautifully updated townhome is located in an FHA and VA approved complex and offers approximately 1,400 square feet of comfortable living space. The home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a well-designed layout ideal for everyday living. Enjoy a private and secured entrance leading into a bright interior with numerous recent upgrades throughout. The
Located in an Opportunity Zone on a corner of B Ave and E 8th Street in the heart of downtown National City ** ReDevelopment opportunity for a mixed-used concept, affordable housing or more. Can build up to a 5.0 FAR No parking required Fast approval for development with the city
Rare opportunity to own a value-add duplex in National City with incredible upside and long-term potential. Situated on a spacious 9,624 sq ft lot, this property features two well-designed 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom units (approx. 860 sq ft each), each equipped with new energy-efficient mini-split A/C and heating systems for modern comfort and cost savings. Investors and savvy buyers will appreciate
SINGLE STORY. LARGE PRIVATE BACKYARD LOT. MCR-2 ZONING UPSIDE. Opportunities like this are rare, especially in a location where flexibility and future potential actually matter. Sitting on an oversized lot, this one gives you what most homes cannot. Space, privacy, and options. Single-story living means no stairs. Everything flows on one level, creating a more open feel throughout the home.
Get ready to fall in love! This stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with 1,260sqft. of beautifully remodeled living space offers the perfect blend of comfort, privacy, and opportunity, plus a newly permitted ADU! From the moment you walk in, you’ll appreciate the bright, open layout that has been thoughtfully updated throughout. It’s the ideal space for everyday living and effortless entertaining.
Contact for more information: Eric von Bluecher D 760.929.7846 or evb@lee-associates.com Ivan Del Muro-Garcia D 760.448.2451 or idmg@lee-associates.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The property is situated on an approximately 26,571 square foot parcel and is improved with a 10,616 square foot apartment building. The property
3 Unit property. 2 More ADU's may be allowed under CA ADU laws. Currently 3bed/2bath house with TWO 1bd 1ba ADUs All units feature Newer kitchen cabinetry and YES, appliances are included! It also has new electrical panels and wiring throughout, new windows, floors, carpets, doors, lighting fixtures, paint, stucco, fence and roof shingles. All units have W/D hook ups and common laundry set up for
Whether you are a first-time buyer ready to step into homeownership or a savvy investor looking for a turnkey, high-demand rental, this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath townhome is the ultimate strategic move. Designed for modern living, the floorplan features a versatile bonus office/den—perfect for remote work or a growing portfolio. Enjoy a truly low-maintenance lifestyle with durable tile and
Excellent 27,007 sq.ft. corner lot on vibrant E. 8th Street in National City. In an Opportunity Zone, making it eligible for preferential tax treatment. E. 8th Street experiences significant traffic volume, at 13,000-14,600 Average Daily Traffic. National City is a dynamic and vibrant community, just five miles from Downtown San Diego, allowing residents to escape from fast-moving city life. The
REMODELED & UPGRADED, BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT, SHOWS LIKE A MODEL...1 Bed 1 bath Newer Appliances, Newer Paint & Flooring, In Unit Washer & Dryer...(Please view this rental prior to submitting an application).
Where vibrant living meets comfort in our charming community of two and three-bedroom apartments nestled in the heart of National City, CA. Step inside our spacious layouts adorned with modern finishes that invite warmth and creativity, making every corner feel like home. Experience a wealth of amenities designed to enrich your lifestyle, from shimmering pools to inviting communal spaces perfect
A comfortable new apartment home is waiting for you at Park Bonita. Our one and two-bedroom apartments for lease in Bonita, CA offers the best of charming features and great amenities. Pair that with our amazing location and you have Bonita's most sought-after homes.
Welcome to The Commodore Apartments, where luxury meets convenience in the heart of National City, framed by the stunning views of San Miguel Mountain on one side and the iconic Downtown San Diego on the other. At The Commodore, every detail is thoughtfully designed to offer an unparalleled living experience, making it your personal oasis. Our community outdoor lounge, pool, spa, and recreational
Perfectly situated in the heart of Chula Vista, CA our apartment community offers an irresistible combination of comfort, convenience and quality. With our central location, you're close to everything including 3rd Avenue's shops and restaurants.All units include a fully equipped all electric kitchen, a breakfast bar, mirrored closets doors, plush carpeting, ceiling fans, vertical blinds,
Parco is brand-new construction built in 2021.Welcome to Parco, National City's newest traditional, furnished, and coliving apartment community. Our furnished studio and coliving apartments minimize cost and maximize convenience while our traditional studio, 1, and 2-bedroom homes give you the freedom to personalize as you see fit. See a breakdown of our offerings, below, and always feel
Bella Vita is a 70 unit community with many spacious floor plans to choose from! We offer a pool, spa, rentable clubhouse, parking, a childs playground, dog park and is a gated community! We have one, two and three bedroom floor plans to choose from.
NC18 Apartments is a fully renovated two-story garden-style apartment community in National City —a vibrant, culturally rich area with deep history and heritage. Each unit has received much more than just a fresh coat of paint, undergoing thoughtful renovations from top to bottom, inside and out. At NC18, you'll find apartments that are budget-friendly and offer the perfect opportunity to live in
Discover the perfect combination of relaxed refinement and urban excitement at Southern Highlands. Our welcoming community in South Bay features pet-friendly studio and 1 bedroom apartment homes in a superb central location with a plethora of employers, parks, public transit, and more just around the corner.
Our renovated collection of two bedroom and three bedroom modern city loft residences provide a gorgeous blend of comfort and convenience being centrally located in National City. Boasting an uber-chic, high-end design including beautiful plank flooring, new stainless steel appliances and upgraded LED lighting, it is no wonder why 12th Street Lofts are sophisticated yet timeless. With a
Welcome to 611 Highland Apartments in National City, CA—an exciting new community nestled in the heart of San Diego. Discover a unique blend of residential and commercial work/live units, featuring beautifully designed one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Enjoy the comfort of a pet-friendly environment where your furry friends are always welcome. Experience modern living at its finest at 611
Live comfortably at the Plaza Apartments situated in the heart of San Diego, California. Located in the up-and-coming National City neighborhood, The Plaza offers residents convenient living with easy access to everything America's Finest City has to offer. With an incredibly high walk score and easy access to Interstates 5 and 805, shopping, dining and everything San Diego has to offer is easily
Surrounded by National City within San Diego County, the unincorporated community of Lincoln Acres is as close-knit as a community can get. Lincoln Acres is gradually rising from its humble origins as a Great Depression farming community, and its strong connection to Chicano culture reflects itself in its local businesses and institutions. Single-story homes built from the 1930s to 1970s add a vintage charm to this San Diego enclave, but change is in motion. Local Realtor Ricardo Cervantes with Finest City Homes and Loans, says “Everything is changing here in Lincoln Acres little by little, and many parts of San Diego are totally turning around. Lincoln Acres is truly a community on the rise; renovating and upgrading for the better.” With the average home selling after just 21 days on the market, half that of the national average, it is clear that Lincoln Acres is one of San Diego County’s most up-and-coming communities.<br><br>While Lincoln Acres originated as a farming community during the 1930s, it was not long before California’s mass urbanization produced a densely populated residential community where farms once stood. The average year of construction of a Lincoln Acres house is 1959, reflecting the predominance of postwar residences along this community’s grid-patterned residential streets. Most of Lincoln Acres’ streets sit on an incline due to San Diego’s hilly landscape, and single-story residences tend to feature pastel colors, while hedges and white picket fences meet each street’s sidewalks. The classic appearance of these postwar homes helps shape Lincoln Acres’ appeal. Remodeled 1930s homes, with old-school charm and updated infrastructure, fill out the upper tier of this neighborhood’s housing market. Select homes even offer distant views of the bay and Coronado Bridge. This community’s ranch-style homes tend to sell for between $595,000 and $900,000. Cervantes adds, “I always tell people this is a great place to find a starter home. If it’s remodeled, we’re talking $750,000; but if you choose one that needs cosmetic updating you can often get them for closer to $650,000.”<br><br>Lincoln Acres’ restaurant scene explores the cultural and culinary diversity that San Diego has to offer. Teriyaki Sun is popular for its sushi, teriyaki platters and noodle bowls, while Giant New York Pizza brings New York-style pizza out to the West Coast. Tita’s Kitchenette serves up Filipino classics like pancit and lumpia, while the family-owned La Lomita Mexican Grill has an extensive menu of Mexican street food staples. International supermarkets like the Latino-themed Vallarta Supermarket and the Filipino Manila Seafood Oriental Market bring flavors from across the sea to the heart of San Diego County, while National City’s Walmart offers a broader array of conveniences.<br><br>While unincorporated, Lincoln Acres has several schools of its own; Lincoln Acres Elementary School, given a C rating by Niche, sits at the heart of the neighborhood, as does the B-minus-rated Granger Junior High School. Students can go on to attend the B-plus-rated Sweetwater High School in neighboring National City and study in an institution ranked among the top 250 standout schools in the state by Niche. Sweetwater High, founded in 1920, is one of the oldest high schools in the county, and the school has partnered with the local campus of the University of California and San Diego State University to provide students with post-secondary educational pathways. Its “Red Devils” athletics programs also bring the neighborhood together with strong school spirit. “You do have a community feel here,” says Cervantes, “where neighbors go to Friday night football games at Sweetwater High.”<br><br>While Lincoln Acres is a heavily urbanized area with few green spaces of its own, residents are never too far from opportunities to take in the California sun. At the northern edge of the community, locals can play tennis or shoot hoops at El Toyon Park. The park is bordered by mature palm trees, and curved walkways sprinkled with benches lead to the playground and a dog park. In 2021, Lincoln Acres Country Park opened near the local library, featuring three separate playgrounds, wide-open fields and a large basketball court. Created in alignment with the Live Well San Diego vision for healthy and thriving communities, this oasis of athletics includes retractable goal posts to transition from a basketball court into a multi-sport court for futsal or other activities. At the neighboring Lincoln Acres Library and Community Room, community events and programs from kids’ crafts to a series of Spanish-language parenting classes bring the community together. <br><br>Lincoln Acres’ location alongside Interstate 805 facilitates travel into downtown San Diego, which lays just 8 miles up the highway. The Mexican city of Tijuana is also right around the corner, with 805 taking international travelers into the “Gateway to Mexico” within a 10-mile drive. Paradise Valley Hospital, the nearest healthcare center and a local employment hub, is 1.5 miles northwest of central Lincoln Acres.
Property Mix - Square Feet
National City Has More Renters
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
39
Median Rent
$2,595
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,650
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,350
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,500
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$2,550
Median Condo Rent
$2,495
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,495
Demographics
Total Population
54,970
Median Age
37
Population Density
103 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$56,851
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$72,120
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
73.9%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
15%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.9%
% Population in Labor Force
63.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
9''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Fairly friendly
Bikeability®
50/ 100
Moderately friendly
Walkability®
60/ 100
Fairly friendly
Transit®
40/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
