Gastonia, NC 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.
Gastonia
67.9
#1368 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 23). La Mesa leads in crime level (11.4 vs 23.3). Gastonia leads in cost of living index (96 vs 160).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Gastonia, NC | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.9 (#1368) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 83,942 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $279,555 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $58,047 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 25.7 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 23 | 60 |
| Crime Level | 23.3 | 11.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 96 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+25.0 | D+16.8 |
D+
67.9 Score
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$279,555
Population
83,942
Crime
High
Walk Score
23
Southeast
View Gastonia, NC →
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 →