California's southernmost beach town: a laid-back, walkable stretch of sand from the Silver Strand to the border, with surf breaks, a fishing pier, and some of the county's most attainable coastal living.
Imperial Beach is a small coastal market where detached homes and condos are moving on very different clocks: houses still sell quickly, while a growing supply of condos has handed buyers real leverage near the sand.
Houses are running near $888,000 (about 4.9 months of supply, selling near 96.5% of original price in roughly 22 days), while condos and townhomes sit near $674,000 (11.2 months, roughly 98.2% of original, about 42 days).
Over five years the median sale price in Imperial Beach houses is up about 9% and the price per square foot is up about 14%. The two are close, with the price per square foot a few points ahead, so values rose a little more than the headline median shows.
Price per square foot is the sale price divided by the home's interior square footage.
Both figures use the same smoothed five year comparison: the average of the last twelve monthly medians against the average of the first twelve. A gap of eight points or more is treated as a mix shift. That threshold was set by testing, not picked: an earlier version flagged nine of nineteen areas, which is noise. It now flags eight of forty.
Over five years the median sale price in Imperial Beach condos is up about 11% and the price per square foot is up about 12%. The two agree, which is what you want to see. It means the gain reflects prices rising rather than a shift in the kind of home selling, so the headline number is a fair read on what an owner gained.
Price per square foot is the sale price divided by the home's interior square footage.
Both figures use the same smoothed five year comparison: the average of the last twelve monthly medians against the average of the first twelve. A gap of eight points or more is treated as a mix shift. That threshold was set by testing, not picked: an earlier version flagged nine of nineteen areas, which is noise. It now flags eight of forty.
This is one of the coast's better values, and right now it rewards patient buyers, especially for condos, where inventory has climbed and sellers are negotiating. Detached homes move faster, so come pre-approved if you're after a house near the sand.
Houses here are still selling in about three weeks, a few points under the original asking price. Condos are a different story. Supply has built up and buyers hold the leverage, so pricing sharply and showing well matter more than ever. Know which market your home is in.
Supply is running around 4.9 months for houses. As long as listings stay scarce, prices hold firm; a meaningful rise in inventory would be the first sign of easing.
Rates sit higher than they were a couple of years ago, the main headwind on demand. A meaningful drop would likely bring buyers off the sidelines quickly.
Get Pre-Approved →The two segments have split: detached homes stay quick and firm on price, while the condo and townhome market has swung toward buyers on rising inventory. Watch each on its own, and watch condo supply, the clearest signal for where beachside prices head next.
This is a focused market, so a single month's median can spike or dip. Weigh the multi-year trajectory, the bold trend line above, over any one data point.
What is the median home price in Imperial Beach?
The median sale price in Imperial Beach is $888,000 on a trailing three month basis, using closed sales through September 2026. That is the houses figure. Condos and townhomes are reported separately on this page.
How long do homes take to sell in Imperial Beach?
Houses in Imperial Beach are selling in a median of about 22 days.
Is Imperial Beach a buyer's or a seller's market?
Houses in Imperial Beach have about 4.9 months of supply, which reads as a balanced market. Under three months favors sellers, three to six is balanced, and above six favors buyers.
How much have home prices risen in Imperial Beach?
The median in Imperial Beach is up about 9% over the past five years, measured as the average of the last twelve monthly medians against the first twelve.
Are homes in Imperial Beach selling for asking price?
Houses in Imperial Beach are closing at about 96.5% of original list price.
What is the median condo price in Imperial Beach?
Condos and townhomes in Imperial Beach run around $674,000. That segment is a small market here, so treat it as a typical median rather than a firm one. It is up about 11% over the past five years.
Is the condo market in Imperial Beach different from houses?
Yes. Condos and townhomes in Imperial Beach are selling in a median of about 42 days with about 11.2 months of supply, closing at about 98.2% of original list price. Houses are at about 22 days and 4.9 months. Houses are the tighter of the two segments here.
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Inherited a home in Imperial Beach? Here is what to know before you sell, from probate and trust timelines to the tax questions families ask first.
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