La Mesa, CA vs Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
66.4
#1551 nationally
Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $83,649). La Mesa leads in cost of living index (160 vs 205). La Mesa leads in walk score (60 vs 54).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | La Mesa, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.8 (#1822) | 66.4 (#1551) |
| Population | 60,537 | 155,805 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $896,209 | $2,050,814 |
| Median Household Income | $83,649 | $168,924 |
| Average Commute | 25.6 min | 25.6 min |
| Walk Score | 60 | 54 |
| Crime Level | 11.4 | Low |
| School Rating | N/A | 8.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 160 | 205 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+40.0 |
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
66.4 Score
Sunnyvale, CA
Heart of tech innovation
Median Home
$2,050,814
Population
155,805
Crime
Low
Schools
A
Pacific
View Sunnyvale, CA →
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