Durham, NC 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.
Durham
69.4
#1213 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 33). Durham leads in cost of living index (102 vs 160). La Mesa leads in median household income ($83,649 vs $67,432).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Durham, NC | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 69.4 (#1213) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 283,506 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $395,976 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $67,432 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 22.8 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 33 | 60 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.4 |
| School Rating | 6.4 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+61.9 | D+16.8 |
D+
69.4 Score
Durham, NC
Bull City innovation and inclusion
Median Home
$395,976
Population
283,506
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Durham, NC →
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 →