La Mesa, CA vs South Pasadena, 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
South Pasadena
63.6
#1760 nationally
South Pasadena leads in crime level (5.8 vs 11.4). South Pasadena leads in median household income ($127,882 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 228).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | South Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 63.6 (#1760) |
| Population | 60,537 | 25,623 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $1,707,701 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $127,882 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 228 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+32.9 |
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
63.6 Score
South Pasadena, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,707,701
Population
25,623
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View South Pasadena, CA →
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