San Diego ADU Cost Data 2026 — aduglossary.com,,,
Updated 2026-07-02. Source: https://aduglossary.com/san-diego-adu-cost-guide/,,,

TABLE A — Cost by ADU type,,,
ADU type,All-in cost,$/sqft,Typical monthly rent
"JADU (interior conversion, <500 sqft)",$60K–$150K,$150–$300,"$1,200–$1,800"
Garage conversion,$80K–$200K,$200–$250,"$1,500–$2,200"
Attached ADU,$150K–$300K,$250–$350,"$2,000–$2,800"
Detached ADU (new build),$200K–$450K,$300–$450,"$2,500–$3,500"
Two-story / custom detached,$250K–$500K+,$350–$450,"$3,200–$4,500"

TABLE B — All-in cost by size (city-wide model),,,
Size (sqft),Budget build,Mid build,High-end build
400,$200K,$250K,$330K
500,$243K,$305K,$405K
600,$285K,$360K,$480K
800,$370K,$470K,$630K
1000,$455K,$580K,$780K
1200,$540K,$690K,$930K
1500,$668K,$855K,$1.16M
2000,$880K,$1.13M,$1.53M
(model: $/sqft hard cost + $18K permits + $12K utilities),,,

TABLE C — Neighborhood cost tiers ($/sqft hard cost),,,
Tier,$/sqft,Typical ADU rent,Neighborhoods
Coastal Premium,$400–$500,"$3,200+","La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Del Mar, Point Loma, Ocean Beach"
Urban Core,$350–$450,"$2,800+","North Park, Hillcrest, South Park, Mission Hills, Downtown"
Mid-Range Residential,$300–$400,"$2,400+","Kensington, Talmadge, Clairemont, Serra Mesa, Allied Gardens"
Value Corridors,$250–$350,"$2,000+","El Cajon, Chula Vista (East), Mira Mesa, Santee, Escondido"

TABLE D — Permit & soft-cost fees (City of San Diego DSD),,,
Plan check,"$1,000–$2,500",,
Building permit,"$1,500–$4,000",,
Impact fees,Waived (<750 sqft),,
School fees,$2–$4/sqft,,
Utilities hookup,"$2,500–$7,000",,
Total permit + soft cost,"$5,000–$13,500",,

TABLE E — ADU rent comps,$3.27–$4.43/sqft,,
Size (sqft),Bedrooms,Monthly rent,
600,1BR,"$2,400",
800,2BR,"$3,200",
1100,2BR,"$3,950",