El Monte, 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.
El Monte
61.6
#1894 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in median household income ($83,649 vs $59,929). La Mesa leads in average commute (25.6 min vs 29.3 min). El Monte leads in cost of living index (151 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | El Monte, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 61.6 (#1894) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 103,794 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $764,928 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $59,929 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 29.3 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 62 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 11.6 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 151 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+32.9 | D+16.8 |
D-
61.6 Score
El Monte, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$764,928
Population
103,794
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
62
Pacific
View El Monte, 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 →