Gardena, CA 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.
Gardena
61.9
#1883 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in crime level (11.4 vs 19.3). Gardena leads in walk score (75 vs 60). La Mesa leads in average commute (25.6 min vs 28.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gardena, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.9 (#1883) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 58,377 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $792,958 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $75,443 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 28.4 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 75 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 19.3 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 154 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+16.8 |
D-
61.9 Score
Gardena, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$792,958
Population
58,377
Crime
High
Walk Score
75
Pacific
View Gardena, CA →
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 →