La Mesa, CA vs Laurel, MD
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
Laurel
66.4
#1547 nationally
La Mesa leads in average commute (25.6 min vs 33.5 min). Laurel leads in cost of living index (125 vs 160). La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 53).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Laurel, MD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 66.4 (#1547) |
| Population | 60,537 | 29,400 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $478,130 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $92,035 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 33.5 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 10.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+13.9 |
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
66.4 Score
Laurel, MD
Small Maryland city with local appeal
Median Home
$478,130
Population
29,400
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Northeast
View Laurel, MD →