Clifton, NJ 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.
Clifton
69.5
#1194 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Clifton leads in crime level (4.5 vs 11.4). Clifton leads in cost of living index (133 vs 160). Clifton leads in median household income ($94,179 vs $83,649).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Clifton, NJ | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.5 (#1194) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 88,461 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $618,464 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $94,179 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 28.6 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 4.5 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.9 | D+16.8 |
D+
69.5 Score
Clifton, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$618,464
Population
88,461
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
62
Northeast
View Clifton, NJ →
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 →