Inland North County · San Diego County
Escondido
Inland North County with room to spread out
Discover Escondido
Living in Escondido
Escondido is an inland city in North County San Diego, about 30 miles north of downtown San Diego along I-15. It has a historic downtown on Grand Avenue, lakes and open space in the hills, and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on its eastern edge.
Homes cost less than on the coast and many lots are larger, which is why buyers from other parts of the county often look here. The Sprinter train connects Escondido to Oceanside.
By the numbers
Typical home value, Escondido
$839,152
September 2026
2026 conforming loan limit, San Diego County
$1,104,000
One-unit home
2026 HECM reverse mortgage limit
$1,249,125
All areas
Sources: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value), September 2026; FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits; HUD 2026 FHA and HECM loan limits. Typical values are estimates, not appraisals.
Featured neighborhoods
Old Escondido
Historic district with Victorian and Craftsman homes near downtown.
Kit Carson area
Neighborhoods near Kit Carson Park and its lakes and trails.
Hidden Meadows
Hillside homes north of the city with larger lots and views.
San Pasqual Valley
Rural setting with agricultural land near the Safari Park.
Around the area
- Grand Avenue and the downtown farmers market
- California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Daley Ranch and Lake Dixon
- Kit Carson Park
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Local advice
What Escondido buyers and homeowners ask me
Buying in Escondido
Typical values here sit under the $1,104,000 San Diego County conforming limit, so conventional and FHA financing often fit. Your options depend on your credit, income and down payment.
Larger lots and ADUs
Some Escondido properties have room for an accessory dwelling unit. A renovation loan, HELOC or cash-out refinance may help pay for one, depending on your equity and the project.
Right-sizing in retirement
Homeowners 62 and older who want to stay may look at a reverse mortgage. Those who want a smaller home may look at a HECM for Purchase, which can buy a new primary residence without a required monthly mortgage payment. Taxes, insurance and upkeep still apply.
General information, not a loan offer. Not all borrowers will qualify. Subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Property tax details: California State Board of Equalization — Proposition 19.
Map of Escondido
Questions about buying or owning in Escondido?
Whether you're buying, staying, or thinking about a move, I'm happy to walk through the numbers with you. No pressure.
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Photo by Veronica Ascencio on Unsplash.