San Diego, CA
Is University City Northwest a Safe Place to Live? Housing, Crime & Buyer Guide
Explore safety, home prices, commute patterns, and neighborhood insights in San Diego, California - so you can decide with confidence before buying or renting.
Most buyers only see the home. Smart buyers check the neighborhood first.
Crime Summary:
Crime Overview (last 12 months)
Severe351
Medium127
Low591
Other2883
76 Registered Offenders Nearby
Rape17
Child involved57
Assault7
Other5
Crime Details:
Recent reported incidents in the past 12 months (newest first). Up to 10 records.
| Crime date | Crime description | Address | Crime category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency medical personnel were dispatched for a possible medical issue near Bergen Avenue and Lister Street in San Diego. | Bergen St, San Diego, CA 92117 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, dispatch received a report of a silver or gold Toyota Highlander driving recklessly near Valley Sun Road and Rock Hill Ranch, including brake-checking and swerving on the roadway. The license plate was not obtained. | Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a male adult with chronic leg pain and high blood pressure was picked up from the sidewalk near Genesee Avenue in La Jolla and is en route to Scripps La Jolla hospital. The patient has hypertension and a negative stroke scale. | Genesee Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, there is a possible medical emergency near Gilman Drive. The caller mentioned notifying UCSD and arriving there in about 8 minutes. | Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, a possible medical emergency was reported near Mt Bigelow Drive, close to Alamo Drive and Alma Lane. Emergency units were dispatched. | Mt Bigelow Dr, San Diego, CA 92111 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews and support units are dispatched for a possible structure-related incident near Beaumont Road in La Jolla. | Beaumont Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Fire |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire and medical units were dispatched to a possible medical emergency involving a person having difficulty breathing near Beaumont Road. Multiple engines, a medic unit, a truck, and a squad responded as part of a structure response. | Beaumont Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Medical Emergency |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, emergency units were dispatched to a possible traffic accident near a clinic on Torrey Pines Drive by North Torrey Pines Road. | N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, engine 52 was dispatched to a reported traffic accident near the (number withheld) block of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive by North Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla. | Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Traffic |
| Jul 16, 2026 | As discussed during the dispatch call, fire crews were dispatched to a possible traffic accident near the (number withheld) block of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive by North Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla. | Torrey Pines Scenic Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Traffic |
For all crime details - View Safety Report
Median Home Price
$980,612
Average Rent
$4,613
Vacancy Rate
18.8%
Overview
University City Northwest is a densely urban neighborhood in San Diego with a median home price of $980,612 and average rent of $4,613, both above most California neighborhoods.
The housing stock is dominated by large apartment complexes and small units, with a high vacancy rate of 18.8%, indicating many unoccupied units.
This neighborhood has a strong college student presence with 25.2% enrolled, ranking in the top 1.7% nationally.
Residents speak diverse languages including English, Chinese, Spanish, Indian languages, and Korean, with a notable Persian-speaking population at 2.2%.
Densely UrbanHigh RentCollege FocusedDiverse Languages
Quick Facts
| College Enrollment | 25.2% |
|---|
Housing market and real estate character
University City Northwest's housing is dominated by large apartment buildings and small units, with a high vacancy rate.
| Large Apartment Buildings | 89.0% |
|---|---|
| Small Unit Share (1-2 bedrooms) | 90.3% |
What buyers will notice right away
The 18.8% vacancy rate indicates many unoccupied units, possibly due to new construction or other factors.
With over 90% small units, this neighborhood is unique for those seeking smaller living spaces.
Families & Lifestyle
University City Northwest has a strong college student population and no child poverty, reflecting a youthful and stable community.
College-Centric — A quarter of residents are college students, shaping the neighborhood's culture and rhythm.
Professional Workforce — 74.0% of residents work in executive, management, or professional roles.
| College Enrollment | 25.2% |
|---|---|
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
Demographics
| Executive/Professional Occupations | 74.0% |
|---|---|
| Income Level | Moderate |
| Child Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| Foreign Born | 40.6% |
| Top Languages | ["English","Chinese","Spanish","Languages of India","Korean"] |
| Top Ancestries | ["Asian (41.8%)","English (6.5%)","Irish (6.4%)","Italian (5.3%)","Arab (4.0%)"] |
Commute
Most residents have moderate commutes, with a majority driving alone and some using public transit or biking.
University City Northwest offers manageable commute times with diverse transportation modes including biking and bus.
Short Commutes — Most residents commute between 15 and 30 minutes.
Active Transportation — High bicycle commute rate reflects neighborhood bike-friendliness.
| Main Commute Time | 15-30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Drive Alone Rate | 56.1% |
| Bus Commute Rate | 6.1% |
| Bicycle Commute Rate | 2.9% |
Homes for sale near 92122
For-sale listings in this zip code. Open a property in HoodScore to run a safety report.
$1,250,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,721 sqft
4050 Porte De Palmas Unit 26
San Diego, CA, 92161
$499,000
1 bd | 1 ba | 600 sqft
8889 Caminito Plaza Centro #7225
San Diego, CA, 92122
$1,235,000
3 bd | 3 ba | 1,400 sqft
4165 Porte De Merano Unit 152
San Diego, CA, 92122
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median home price in University City Northwest?
The median home price is $980,612, more expensive than 55.0% of California neighborhoods.
What is the vacancy rate?
The vacancy rate is 18.8%, higher than 86.1% of U.S. neighborhoods.
How many residents are college students?
25.2% of residents are enrolled in college, ranking in the top 1.7% nationally.