La Mesa, CA vs Orange, 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
Orange
63.3
#1780 nationally
Orange leads in crime level (6.2 vs 11.4). Orange leads in median household income ($109,335 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 51).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Orange, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 63.3 (#1780) |
| Population | 60,537 | 138,337 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $1,136,729 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $109,335 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 26.5 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 51 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 6.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 178 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+2.6 |
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
63.3 Score
Orange, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,136,729
Population
138,337
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
51
Pacific
View Orange, CA →