Berkeley, 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.
Berkeley
59.6
#1947 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in crime level (11.4 vs 17.5). Berkeley leads in walk score (85 vs 60). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 222).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 59.6 (#1947) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 118,962 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,460,437 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $104,716 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 30.4 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 85 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 17.5 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 222 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+53.6 | D+16.8 |
F
59.6 Score
Berkeley, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,460,437
Population
118,962
Crime
High
Walk Score
85
Pacific
View Berkeley, 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 →