Irvine, 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.
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 44). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Irvine, CA | La Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.2 (#1452) | 62.8 (#1822) |
| Population | 307,670 | 60,537 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,517,431 | $896,209 |
| Median Household Income | $116,519 | $83,649 |
| Average Commute | 25.8 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | 60 |
| Crime Level | Very Low | 11.4 |
| School Rating | 9.5 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 160 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | D+16.8 |
D+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, 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 →