La Mesa, CA vs Mountain View, 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
Mountain View
63.3
#1779 nationally
Mountain View leads in median household income ($174,156 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 285). Mountain View leads in crime level (8.4 vs 11.4).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Mountain View, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 63.3 (#1779) |
| Population | 60,537 | 81,785 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $1,962,774 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $174,156 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 24.2 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 66 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 8.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 285 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+40.0 |
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
63.3 Score
Mountain View, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,962,774
Population
81,785
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
66
Pacific
View Mountain View, CA →
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