San Carlos Housing Market · 2026

Data through Aug 2026

Data curated by Melanie Tan, 8 Blocks Real Estate · How this data works

San Carlos Market Snapshot

San Carlos is one of the most competitive markets in the Bay Area, and it's still heating up. Here's what you need to know:

Based on 92 homes sold in the 3 months ending August 2026. Includes all residential types (SFH, condo, townhouse, multi-family, and others). Updated weekly.

Data through August 2026

SalesWhat are homes selling for?
Median Sale Price
$2.47M
▲ Up 11.2% from August 2025
Up $248K from August 2025
Homes Sold
92
Sold in the last 3 months. More sales = more reliable data.
Your CostWhat would you actually pay each month?
Monthly Payment
~$16,266/mo
7.28% · 30yr fixed · 20% down
Payment Breakdown
  • Principal & Interest$13,511
  • Property Tax$2,571
  • Insurance$183
CompetitionHow competitive is it right now?
Days on Market
12 days
▼ 4 fewer days than in August 2025
Homes sell in a week or two
Sale-to-List Ratio
106.1%
▲ Up from 101.9% in August 2025
Selling 6% above asking
% Sold Over Asking
56%
More than half of homes sold above their asking price
Active Listings
38
▲ Up 28.2% from August 2025
About 1.3 months of supply. Very low, limited options for buyers

Market Trends

See how prices, monthly costs, and mortgage rates have moved in San Carlos.

Median Sale Price
Up 11.2% year-over-year in San Carlos. Based on 92 sales in the last 3 months.
Homes Sold
8% more homes sold than a year ago in San Carlos.
Total Monthly Payment
Estimated monthly cost is up 12% from a year ago in San Carlos, reflecting changes in both price and mortgage rates.

Includes principal, interest, estimated CA property tax (~1.25%), and estimated insurance (~$2,200/yr). HOA fees not included.

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate (National Avg.)
National average currently at 7.28%. Your actual rate depends on your credit, down payment, and loan type.

San Carlos housing market trends, 2021–2026

October 2021 median
$2.31M
$7,949/mo at 3.1%
Peak (March 2026)
$2.75M
August 2026 median
$2.47M
$12,690/mo at 6.7%

The median sale price in San Carlos is $2.47M — up 7% from $2.31M in October 2021. Over that stretch, the median peaked at $2.75M in March 2026 and bottomed at $1.88M in September 2024. That puts today's price about 9% above the area's 5-year average of $2.26M. Each point is the median of a rolling 3-month window of closings, so the curve runs smoother than any single month; the multi-year direction is the signal.

What buyers actually pay has moved more than the sticker price suggests: a typical monthly payment (20% down, principal & interest) is about $12,690 today, up 60% from $7,949 in October 2021. Most of that increase comes from mortgage rates (3.1% then vs. 6.7% now), not prices — at October 2021 rates, today's median would run about $8,475/mo.

Seasonally, the three months ending in June have been the busiest stretch for closings in San Carlos over the past 5 years (about 93 sales in that window on average, vs. 48 for the stretch ending in February), while competition has run hottest in the stretch ending in May (68% of homes selling over asking on average). That's an average across just 5 observations per month, so treat it as a tendency, not a rule.

Frequently asked questions about San Carlos

Is now a good time to buy in San Carlos?

San Carlos is one of the most competitive markets in the Bay Area. Buyers should expect to offer above asking price, be prepared to waive contingencies, and act fast. Coming in with strong financing and a clear strategy is essential.

How do San Carlos home prices compare to the Bay Area average?

At $2.47M, San Carlos's median sits about 39% above the Bay Area average of $1.78M. San Carlos is on the higher end of the regional market.

By home type:

  • Single-family homes at $2.60M
  • Condos at $880K
  • Townhomes at $1.81M
What price range should I budget for in San Carlos?

Prices in San Carlos depend heavily on home type and specific neighborhood. Median sale prices by type:

  • Single-family homes at $2.60M
  • Condos at $880K
  • Townhomes at $1.81M

Individual listings vary widely based on location, size, and condition. The best calibration is to narrow to a few specific neighborhoods you are considering and look at recent sales there.

How competitive is San Carlos for buyers?

San Carlos is one of the Bay Area's more competitive markets:

  • Homes sell about 6% above asking on average
  • 56% close above list price
  • 12 days typical time to go pending
  • 20% of listings have had a price reduction

Buyer strategy: budget 5 to 10% above ask on well-priced listings, with financing pre-approved and offers ready to move quickly.

What will my total monthly cost be on a median-priced San Carlos home?

At $2.47M with 20% down at 7.28%, your estimated total monthly cost is approximately $16,266:

  • $13,511 principal and interest
  • $2,571 property tax (California 1.25% effective rate)
  • $183 homeowners insurance

HOA fees are extra. Condo buyers typically budget an additional $300 to $700 per month for HOA, and townhome HOAs run $200 to $500.

No noise, just a quick weekly read on what's going on in your market.

Melanie Tan
Melanie Tan
DRE #02250755
“I help Bay Area buyers and sellers make confident moves with the latest market data, real local expertise, and the patience to find what's actually right for you, not the fastest close.”
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