La Mesa, CA vs Laguna Beach, 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.
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Laguna Beach
64.3
#1701 nationally
Laguna Beach leads in crime level (4.6 vs 11.4). Laguna Beach leads in median household income ($141,875 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 43).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Laguna Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 64.3 (#1701) |
| Population | 60,537 | 22,332 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $3,056,376 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $141,875 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 27.4 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 43 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 4.6 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | N/A |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
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 →
D
64.3 Score
Laguna Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$3,056,376
Population
22,332
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
43
Pacific
View Laguna Beach, CA →
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