La Mesa, CA vs Puyallup, WA
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
Puyallup
62.8
#1824 nationally
La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 32). La Mesa leads in average commute (25.6 min vs 32 min). Puyallup leads in cost of living index (129 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Puyallup, WA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 62.8 (#1824) |
| Population | 60,537 | 42,179 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $573,027 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $90,592 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 32 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 10.3 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 129 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+10.8 |
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-
62.8 Score
Puyallup, WA
Small Washington city with local appeal
Median Home
$573,027
Population
42,179
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
32
Pacific
View Puyallup, WA →