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San Diego plan targets housing gap as families leave

Officials say more "middle housing" could help residents afford to stay in San Diego.

Neighborhoods

Plans are in the works to alleviate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high housing costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/22/median-earners-priced-out-san-diego-real-estate-market-homes" data-vars-content-id="1506b5d4-7e53-4d23-9c26-171cab6cc373" data-vars-headline="San Diego plan targets housing gap as families leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/22/median-earners-priced-out-san-diego-real-estate-market-homes" target="_self">high housing costs</a> that are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driving home sales to a record low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/20/san-diego-home-sales-fell-to-their-lowest-level-in-recorded-history-to-start-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1506b5d4-7e53-4d23-9c26-171cab6cc373" data-vars-headline="San Diego plan targets housing gap as families leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/20/san-diego-home-sales-fell-to-their-lowest-level-in-recorded-history-to-start-2026/" target="_blank">driving home sales to a record low</a>.Why it matters: While the city is building more apartment buildings in the urban core, there still aren&#x27;t enough neighborhood &quot;middle housing&quot; options for families, officials and experts told Axios.

San Diego Wave sign USWNT star Cat Macario in record NWSL deal

It's a homecoming for the international women's soccer star who grew up playing in Del Mar.

Sports

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego Wave FC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/12/san-diego-wave-game-houston-dash-2026-nwsl-home-opener" data-vars-content-id="f30e3aef-2f64-41ae-b384-79c7cf9d983d" data-vars-headline="San Diego Wave sign USWNT star Cat Macario in record NWSL deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/12/san-diego-wave-game-houston-dash-2026-nwsl-home-opener" target="_self">San Diego Wave FC</a> signed U.S. Women&#x27;s National Team forward Catarina Macario in a record-breaking deal that makes her one of the highest paid players in the National Women&#x27;s Soccer League.Why it matters: The soccer star coming home to San Diego helps elevate the team into an NWSL Championship contender as it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rebuilds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/14/wave-angel-city-game-2025-nwsl-season-womens-sports-bar" data-vars-content-id="f30e3aef-2f64-41ae-b384-79c7cf9d983d" data-vars-headline="San Diego Wave sign USWNT star Cat Macario in record NWSL deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/14/wave-angel-city-game-2025-nwsl-season-womens-sports-bar" target="_self">rebuilds</a> with international and young talent.<ul><li>Her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lucrative contract" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48224025/cat-macario-record-nwsl-deal-san-diego-wave" data-vars-content-id="f30e3aef-2f64-41ae-b384-79c7cf9d983d" data-vars-headline="San Diego Wave sign USWNT star Cat Macario in record NWSL deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48224025/cat-macario-record-nwsl-deal-san-diego-wave" target="_blank">lucrative contract</a> has been reported as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="highest-value deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2026/catarina-macario-contract-nwsl-san-diego-wave-1234887043/#:~:text=Cat%20Macario%20Signs%20Record%20NWSL,to%20join%20the%20club%20imminently." data-vars-content-id="f30e3aef-2f64-41ae-b384-79c7cf9d983d" data-vars-headline="San Diego Wave sign USWNT star Cat Macario in record NWSL deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sportico.com/personalities/athletes/2026/catarina-macario-contract-nwsl-san-diego-wave-1234887043/#:~:text=Cat%20Macario%20Signs%20Record%20NWSL,to%20join%20the%20club%20imminently." target="_blank">highest-value deal</a> in the history of women&#x27;s professional soccer.</li></ul>

San Diego's population decline driven by immigration slowdown

The area's recent population growth was supported by immigrants moving in — until last year.

News

San Diego County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/san-diego-population-growth-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="32abc3d2-6a19-4161-bfc8-ab3f17bb18d1" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s population decline driven by immigration slowdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/san-diego-population-growth-pandemic" target="_self">population</a> shrank last year amid a massive drop in immigration, following a nationwide trend, new U.S. Census data shows.Why it matters: The data offers the best look yet at how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tighter immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/18/ice-arrests-noncriminals-san-diego-2025" data-vars-content-id="32abc3d2-6a19-4161-bfc8-ab3f17bb18d1" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s population decline driven by immigration slowdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/18/ice-arrests-noncriminals-san-diego-2025" target="_self">tighter immigration enforcement</a> is affecting America&#x27;s demographic makeup.

How San Diego is using AI — and what's next

From drafting emails to analyzing meetings, AI is already part of city operations.

Politics

City Hall is using AI for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="basic tasks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/sponsored/the-push-to-modernize-government-with-ai" data-vars-content-id="a3060e9b-c119-4657-be98-bf959b2daeb4" data-vars-headline="How San Diego is using AI — and what&#x27;s next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/sponsored/the-push-to-modernize-government-with-ai" target="_self">basic tasks</a> like summarizing emails and meetings and generating slides, but also has bigger ideas for the future, according to officials and records reviewed by Axios.The big picture: While many businesses grapple with how to use <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI safely" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/ai-race-safety-guardrail" data-vars-content-id="a3060e9b-c119-4657-be98-bf959b2daeb4" data-vars-headline="How San Diego is using AI — and what&#x27;s next" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/ai-race-safety-guardrail" target="_self">AI safely</a>, government agencies are also factoring in the need to protect public information and maintain human oversight.

San Diego income growth outpaces national rate

New federal data shows local personal income climbed 5.9%, outpacing the national gain.

Money

Personal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income levels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/25/trump-economy-inflation-income-growth" data-vars-content-id="d9d81d75-7c16-46fa-91a2-fe7dbf3b9890" data-vars-headline="San Diego income growth outpaces national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/25/trump-economy-inflation-income-growth" target="_self">income levels</a> rose 5.9% in San Diego County from 2023 to 2024, according to new U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-by-county" data-vars-content-id="d9d81d75-7c16-46fa-91a2-fe7dbf3b9890" data-vars-headline="San Diego income growth outpaces national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-by-county" target="_blank">data</a>.The big picture: That&#x27;s bigger than the national increase of 5.6%.

Your money-saving hacks and tips

From fiber deals to press-on nails and neighbor swaps, locals are cutting costs creatively.

We <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently asked our San Diego readers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" data-vars-content-id="4a73168b-007f-4f38-a0dd-8d353d9a21ae" data-vars-headline="Your money-saving hacks and tips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/26/san-diego-budget-deficit-fee-hikes-trash-parking-water-2025" target="_self">recently asked our San Diego readers</a> for their money-saving hacks and tips, and they delivered.The big picture: With costs of everything from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/02/saving-down-payment-san-diego-home-takes-30-years" data-vars-content-id="4a73168b-007f-4f38-a0dd-8d353d9a21ae" data-vars-headline="Your money-saving hacks and tips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/02/saving-down-payment-san-diego-home-takes-30-years" target="_self">housing</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burritos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/28/california-burrito-san-diego-cost-increase-restaurant-inflation" data-vars-content-id="4a73168b-007f-4f38-a0dd-8d353d9a21ae" data-vars-headline="Your money-saving hacks and tips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/28/california-burrito-san-diego-cost-increase-restaurant-inflation" target="_self">burritos</a> on the rise, locals sometimes need some creativity to make ends meet.

California car insurance rates dropped in 2025

The downward trend nationwide follows a post-pandemic stretch of skyrocketing costs.

California <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="car insurance prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/08/06/rising-cost-car-insurance-california" data-vars-content-id="7c35bb2f-cc10-4965-a04b-9d723a39dfdb" data-vars-headline="California car insurance rates dropped in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/08/06/rising-cost-car-insurance-california" target="_self">car insurance prices</a> dipped 8% last year after a post-pandemic stretch of skyrocketing costs, a new<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Insurify report" data-vars-click-url="https://insurify.com/car-insurance/report/" data-vars-content-id="7c35bb2f-cc10-4965-a04b-9d723a39dfdb" data-vars-headline="California car insurance rates dropped in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://insurify.com/car-insurance/report/" target="_blank"> Insurify report</a> finds.By the numbers: The average annual full-coverage premium was $2,309 in 2025 — about $208 cheaper than in 2024.

How San Diego grocery prices dropped and spiked in  2025

The local cost of food at home rose at the fastest pace in three years.

The cost of eating at home in San Diego fluctuated during 2025, spiking to a six-year high in July before falling in August.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grocery prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" data-vars-content-id="3a9a6144-6e2d-489e-bc26-1330c7f3ec04" data-vars-headline="How San Diego grocery prices dropped and spiked in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-grocery-prices" target="_self">Grocery prices</a> locally and nationally rose at the fastest pace in three years, keeping pressure on household budgets even as overall <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inflation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-prices-december" data-vars-content-id="3a9a6144-6e2d-489e-bc26-1330c7f3ec04" data-vars-headline="How San Diego grocery prices dropped and spiked in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-prices-december" target="_self">inflation</a> held steady in December.

San Diego's highest-paying industries

Tech, biotech and aerospace top the list of industries for best pay in San Diego.

San Diegans working in tech industries are getting the biggest paychecks in the city on average, according to 2023 Glassdoor data.Between the lines: San Diego salaries are higher than the national average across most industries, which is expected in one of the country&#x27;s most expensive cities.

SD inks union construction pact

Local unions will now handle most public works projects after signing a blanket project labor agreement.

The city of San Diego on Wednesday reached a major deal for local construction unions, agreeing to a seven-year project labor agreement, or PLA, on all city work exceeding $5 million for the next two years and more than $1 million for the following five years.State of play: The agreement among the San Diego County Building and Construction Trades Council stipulates wages and benefits for workers and guarantees sufficient labor to complete projects, while requiring contractors to hire through union halls.

Axios What's Next

A U.S. map showing the change in personal income from 2023 to 2024 by county. On average, income increased 5.6%. In 331 counties, mostly in the Plains states from North Dakota to Texas, saw a decrease. 2,768 counties saw an increase. 

Change in personal income, 2023 to 2024

Data: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis; Note: Data not available for Connecticut; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the change in average annual car insurance costs from 2024 to 2025, per Insurify. New Jersey had the biggest gain (+20%), while Wyoming had the biggest fall (-30%). Nationally, costs fell by 6%.

Change in average annual car insurance costs from 2024 to 2025

Data: Insurify; Map: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios

Axios Macro

A column chart showing the month-over-month change in the cost of food at home in the San Diego metro area for all months in 2025. On average, food costs in San Diego rose slower than the national average. Comparing December to November, food at home cost 1.2% more in San Diego, and 0.5% more nationally.

Month-over-month change in the cost of food at home in the San Diego metro area

Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

Axios San Francisco

How much Californians can expect to get in federal tax refunds

San Francisco

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the average tax refund by state for tax year 2022 among filers receiving a refund. Florida leads at about $3.9k, while Maine trails at about $2.7k. The U.S. average is about $3.3k.