Arcadia, CA vs La Mesa, 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.
Arcadia
60.7
#1926 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Arcadia leads in crime level (6.3 vs 11.4). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 225). Arcadia leads in median household income ($108,214 vs $83,649).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Arcadia, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.7 (#1926) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 54,157 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,395,544 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $108,214 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 30.5 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 6.3 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 225 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+16.8 |
D-
60.7 Score
Arcadia, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,395,544
Population
54,157
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
54
Pacific
View Arcadia, CA →
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 →