La Mesa, CA vs Monterey, 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.
La Mesa
62.8
#1822 nationally
Monterey
62.7
#1834 nationally
Monterey leads in average commute (19.1 min vs 25.6 min). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 192). Monterey leads in median household income ($98,003 vs $83,649).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Monterey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 62.7 (#1834) |
| Population | 60,537 | 29,116 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $1,179,065 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $98,003 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 19.1 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 53 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 10.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 192 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+29.9 |
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 →
D-
62.7 Score
Monterey, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,179,065
Population
29,116
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
53
Pacific
View Monterey, CA →