La Mesa, CA vs San Mateo, 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
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $83,649). San Mateo leads in crime level (6.7 vs 11.4). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 249).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 60,537 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+50.3 |
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 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
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