Fullerton, 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.
Fullerton
60.7
#1927 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Fullerton leads in median household income ($99,279 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in average commute (25.6 min vs 30 min). La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 54).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.7 (#1927) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 139,250 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,052,226 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $99,279 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 30 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 54 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 12.5 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 175 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
D-
60.7 Score
Fullerton, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,052,226
Population
139,250
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Pacific
View Fullerton, 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 →