Chico, 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.
Chico
66.4
#1544 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in crime level (11.4 vs 19.2). Chico leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 25.6 min). La Mesa leads in median household income ($83,649 vs $65,932).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Chico, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.4 (#1544) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 101,301 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $464,980 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 17.5 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 19.2 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 133 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+3.1 | D+16.8 |
D
66.4 Score
Chico, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$464,980
Population
101,301
Crime
High
Walk Score
49
Pacific
View Chico, 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 →