University City 92122 vs. La Jolla 92037: Home Prices Compared (August 2026)
University City (ZIP 92122) and La Jolla (ZIP 92037) sit side by side, but their home prices are far apart. In August 2026, Redfin reported a median sale price of $2,348,984 in La Jolla and $1,057,043 in University City and UTC. That's a gap of about $1,291,941, or roughly 2.2 times.
The short answer
- La Jolla's median sale price was $2,348,984, down 6.0% from a year earlier.
- University City's median was $1,057,043, down 3.3% from a year earlier.
- University City homes sold faster (20 days vs. 33) and closer to asking price (99.0% vs. 97.5%).
- At 20% down and a 7.40% rate, the monthly payment on a median-priced home works out to about $13,011 in La Jolla and $5,855 in University City, before taxes, insurance and HOA dues.
The numbers side by side
Redfin's September figures weren't up yet when I checked, so August 2026 is the latest month. These numbers cover all home types together.
| Measure | La Jolla 92037 | University City 92122 |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $2,348,984 | $1,057,043 |
| Change from a year earlier | Down 6.0% | Down 3.3% |
| Homes sold | 137 | 85 |
| Change in sales from a year earlier | Up 2.1% | Up 6.8% |
| Median days on market | 33 | 20 |
| Change in days on market | Down 6 days | Down 15 days |
| Sale-to-list price ratio | 97.5% | 99.0% |
| Change in sale-to-list ratio | Up 0.4 points | Up 0.7 points |
What stands out
Prices are lower than a year ago in both ZIP codes, even though more homes sold in both. La Jolla's median fell by a bit more, 6.0% compared with 3.3%.
University City is the faster market. The typical home there sold in 20 days, versus 33 in La Jolla, and the sale-to-list ratio was 99.0% compared with 97.5%. A ratio of 97.5% means the typical La Jolla sale closed about 2.5% under the list price. My read is that buyers in La Jolla had a little more room to negotiate last month. That's an average, not a rule, and any single home can be different.
If you want the bigger La Jolla picture, I wrote about it in La Jolla home prices: what the market data shows. For what's planned for University City, see my UTC and University City 92122 guide.
What a monthly payment looks like
To make the gap real, here's a rough example. Say you put 20% down on a home at each median price and finance the rest with a 30-year fixed loan at 7.40%. That's the Freddie Mac average rate from October 8, 2026.
| Measure | La Jolla 92037 | University City 92122 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (the August median) | $2,348,984 | $1,057,043 |
| Down payment at 20% | $469,797 | $211,409 |
| Loan amount | $1,879,187 | $845,634 |
| Monthly payment, principal and interest | $13,011 | $5,855 |
That works out to about $13,011 a month in La Jolla and about $5,855 in University City, before property tax, insurance and any HOA dues. A loan the size of the La Jolla one is likely a jumbo loan, which can be priced differently from the Freddie Mac average, so use this as a yardstick, not a quote. To see what the other costs add up to, read what it costs to own a home in La Jolla.
What these numbers can't tell you
A median mixes everything together: condos, townhomes, houses, small lots, big lots, views and no views. I can't tell from these figures how much of the gap comes from the type of home and how much comes from the location. I'd rather say that than guess.
There's also a sample-size issue. With 85 sales in University City in one month, a few unusual sales can move the median. I'd look at several months in a row before reading too much into any one month.
This is not a guarantee
These are averages for one month. They don't predict next month, and they don't tell you what any one home is worth. Prices, rates and days on market move around, and the home you want could sell faster or slower than the typical one.
My advice for San Diego buyers
- Start with a monthly payment you're comfortable with, then see which ZIP codes fit.
- Look at recent sales of homes like the one you want, not just the ZIP code median.
- If you're leaning toward a condo in either area, read my checklist for buying a condo near UCSD and UTC before you make an offer.
- Ask for the full cost picture, including property tax, insurance and HOA dues, not just the payment.
Call or text me at (619) 402-4614 or send me a message.
Call or text (619) 402-4614Contact Trevor LandressRelated guides
- UTC and University City 92122: homes, growth plans and what to know
- What it costs to own a home in La Jolla 92037
- Buying a condo near UCSD and UTC: what to check
- Carmel Valley 92130 housing market: August 2026
- La Jolla home prices: what the market data shows
Frequently asked questions
Is La Jolla or University City more expensive?
La Jolla. Redfin reported an August 2026 median sale price of $2,348,984 in ZIP 92037 and $1,057,043 in ZIP 92122, so La Jolla's median was about 2.2 times higher.
How fast are homes selling in La Jolla and University City?
Redfin reported a median of 33 days on market in La Jolla and 20 days in University City for August 2026. University City was faster, and it was also 15 days quicker than a year earlier.
Did home prices go up or down from a year ago?
Redfin's August 2026 median sale price was down 6.0% in La Jolla and down 3.3% in University City compared with a year earlier, even though more homes sold in both ZIP codes.
Is the median price the price of a typical home?
Not exactly. A median is the middle price of everything that sold, and it mixes condos, townhomes and houses of different sizes. Look at recent sales of homes like the one you want instead of relying on the ZIP code median.
About the author
Trevor Landress is a San Diego REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker West (DRE# 02126901). He was born and raised in San Diego and has been licensed since 2021. Trevor helps homeowners sell, guides first-time buyers through the home buying process and assists investors with their next acquisition. His work includes negotiating offers, analyzing market trends, building pricing strategies and running marketing campaigns for his listings.
He serves clients across San Diego County, from coastal communities like La Jolla, Del Mar and Carlsbad to neighborhoods inland. Trevor is part of the Campbell Group, a three-generation real estate team, and he and the Campbell Group consistently rank as a top producing team at Coldwell Banker West each month. He writes these guides to help San Diego buyers and sellers navigate an ever-changing market. To talk through your plans, call or text (619) 402-4614 or contact Trevor Landress.
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