Blacksburg, VA vs La Mesa, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Blacksburg
72.5
#869 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Blacksburg leads in crime level (2.1 vs 11.4). La Mesa leads in median household income ($83,649 vs $42,012). Blacksburg leads in average commute (14.9 min vs 25.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Blacksburg, VA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 72.5 (#869) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 45,485 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $425,635 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $42,012 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 14.9 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 43 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 2.1 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 119 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+3.5 | D+16.8 |
C-
72.5 Score
Blacksburg, VA
Small Virginia city with local appeal
Median Home
$425,635
Population
45,485
Crime
Low
Walk Score
43
Northeast
View Blacksburg, VA →
D-
62.8 Score
La Mesa, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$896,209
Population
60,537
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
60
Pacific
View La Mesa, CA →
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