La Mesa, CA vs Santa Clara, 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
Santa Clara
65.7
#1617 nationally
Santa Clara leads in crime level (5.0 vs 11.4). Santa Clara leads in median household income ($165,352 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 241).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 65.7 (#1617) |
| Population | 60,537 | 131,062 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $1,680,833 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $165,352 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 23.6 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 58 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 5.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 241 |
| 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
65.7 Score
Santa Clara, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,680,833
Population
131,062
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
58
Pacific
View Santa Clara, CA →
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