Highland, 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.
Highland
62.5
#1849 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 35). La Mesa leads in crime level (11.4 vs 14.6). Highland leads in cost of living index (131 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Highland, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.5 (#1849) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 56,202 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $542,040 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $72,222 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 35 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 14.6 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 131 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+2.1 | D+16.8 |
D-
62.5 Score
Highland, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$542,040
Population
56,202
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Pacific
View Highland, 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 →