Baltimore, MD 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.
Baltimore
75.5
#444 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in crime level (11.4 vs 44.0). Baltimore leads in cost of living index (108 vs 160). La Mesa leads in median household income ($83,649 vs $58,349).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 75.5 (#444) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 565,239 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $189,754 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 30.1 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 64 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 44.0 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+13.9 | D+16.8 |
C
75.5 Score
Baltimore, MD
Major Maryland city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$189,754
Population
565,239
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
64
Northeast
View Baltimore, MD →
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 →