La Mesa, CA
Demographics And Statistics

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2025-10-25

Living In La Mesa, California Summary

Life in La Mesa research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in La Mesa over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Based on the most recently available data, we found the following about life in La Mesa:

  • The population in La Mesa is 60,835.

  • The median home value in La Mesa is $864,315.

  • The median income in La Mesa is $84,337.

  • The cost of living in La Mesa is 160 which is 1.6x higher than the national average.

  • The median rent in La Mesa is $1,958.

  • The unemployment rate in La Mesa is 6.3%.

  • The poverty rate in La Mesa is 11.7%.

  • The average high in La Mesa is 73.0° and the average low is 51.8°.

La Mesa SnackAbility

8.5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
7/10
Housing
9.5
Affordability
3
Diversity
9.5
Safety
6
Amenities
10
Education
8.5
Commute
6

La Mesa, CA Crime Report

Crime in La Mesa summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in La Mesa. Key points include:

  • There were 1,083 total crimes in La Mesa in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in La Mesa is 1,794.5 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in La Mesa is 415.9 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in La Mesa is 1,378.6 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in La Mesa is -15.32% below the national average.

1,083
Total Crimes
-15.32%
Below National Average

Crime In La Mesa Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
La Mesa
/ 100k People
California
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 1,083 1,794.5 2,564.5 2,119.2
Violent Crime 251 415.9 486.0 359.0
Murder 4 6.6 4.5 5.0
Robbery 50 82.8 119.1 61.0
Aggravated Assault 189 313.2 325.8 256.0
Property Crime 832 1,378.6 2,078.4 1,760.0
Burglary 133 220.4 305.8 229.0
Larceny 541 896.4 1,345.2 1,272.0
Car Theft 158 261.8 427.5 259.0

La Mesa, CA Cost Of Living

Cost of living in La Mesa summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in La Mesa. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around California. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in La Mesa is 160 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in La Mesa is 1.6x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in La Mesa is $864,315.

  • The median income in La Mesa is $84,337.

160
La Mesa's Overall Cost Of Living
1.6x
Higher Than The National Average

Cost Of Living In La Mesa Comparison Table

Living Expense La Mesa California National Average
Overall 160 141 100
Services 114 110 100
Groceries 114 112 100
Health 105 110 100
Housing 264 195 100
Transportation 128 125 100
Utilities 108 128 100

La Mesa, CA Weather

  • The average high in La Mesa is 73.0° and the average low is 51.8°.

  • There are 24.3 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 13.2 inches of precipitation each year with 1.2 inches of snow.

StatLa Mesa
Average Annual High73.0
Average Annual Low51.8
Annual Precipitation Days24.3
Average Annual Precipitation13.2
Average Annual Snowfall1.2
73.0°
Average High
24.3
Days of Rain

La Mesa, CA Photos

Wpsan San Diego County Map Version
Source: Wikipedia User RightCowLeftCoast | CC BY 3.0

1 Reviews & Comments About La Mesa

Overall User Rating
4.0
/5

HomeSnacks User - 2019-01-08 15:57:57.865171

The crime is relatively low for the region. It is a safe and quiet community.

La Mesa Performing Arts Academy is an excellent school, and has received numerous awards from the state of California. Their music program is excellent.

Helix Charter High School is a college preparatory school, and is the alma mater of football greats Alex Smith and Reggie Bush. Classes are on a block schedule, and students have the ability to cross-enroll at local colleges for graduation credits.

Brew Coffee Spot is a great place to get a cup of coffee. Centifonti's restaurant has a variety of menu items, including draft beer, sweets, and gelato. These items are made fresh daily.

Housing costs are high, but La Mesa is minutes from the ocean.

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Rankings for La Mesa in California

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Map Of La Mesa, CA

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La Mesa Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in La Mesa

The current population in La Mesa is 60,835. The population has increased 8.2% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2023 60,835 -0.1%
2022 60,888 -0.2%
2021 61,040 1.4%
2020 60,208 1.1%
2019 59,556 -0.0%
2018 59,562 0.1%
2017 59,479 0.6%
2016 59,125 0.5%
2015 58,858 1.1%
2014 58,239 1.0%
2013 57,681 0.9%
2012 57,182 0.8%
2011 56,722 0.8%
2010 56,250 -

Race / Ethnicity in La Mesa

White
51.9% (31,550)
African American
8.1% (4,900)
American Indian
0.0% (26)
Asian
6.0% (3,669)
Hawaiian
0.2% (143)
Other
0.2% (145)
Two Or More
5.6% (3,434)
Hispanic
27.9% (16,968)

La Mesa is:

  • 51.9% White with 31,550 White residents.

  • 8.1% African American with 4,900 African American residents.

  • 0.0% American Indian with 26 American Indian residents.

  • 6.0% Asian with 3,669 Asian residents.

  • 0.2% Hawaiian with 143 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.2% Other with 145 Other residents.

  • 5.6% Two Or More with 3,434 Two Or More residents.

  • 27.9% Hispanic with 16,968 Hispanic residents.

Race La Mesa CA USA
White 51.9% 34.6% 58.2%
African American 8.1% 5.3% 12.0%
American Indian 0.0% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 6.0% 15.1% 5.7%
Hawaiian 0.2% 0.3% 0.2%
Other 0.2% 0.5% 0.5%
Two Or More 5.6% 4.1% 3.9%
Hispanic 27.9% 39.8% 19.0%

Gender in La Mesa

Female
52.1% (31,665)
Male
47.9% (29,169)
  • La Mesa is 52.1% female with 31,665 female residents.

  • La Mesa is 47.9% male with 29,169 male residents.

Gender La Mesa CA USA
Female 52.1% 50.0% 50.5%
Male 47.9% 50.0% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in La Mesa for adults over 25

  • 3.0% of adults in La Mesa completed < 9th grade.

  • 3.0% of adults in La Mesa completed 9-12th grade.

  • 17.0% of adults in La Mesa completed high school / ged.

  • 27.0% of adults in La Mesa completed some college.

  • 12.0% of adults in La Mesa completed associate's degree.

  • 24.0% of adults in La Mesa completed bachelor's degree.

  • 10.0% of adults in La Mesa completed master's degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in La Mesa completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in La Mesa completed doctorate degree.

< 9th Grade
3.0% (1,825)
9-12th Grade
3.0% (1,825)
High School / GED
17.0% (10,341)
Some College
27.0% (16,425)
Associate's Degree
12.0% (7,300)
Bachelor's Degree
24.0% (14,600)
Master's Degree
10.0% (6,083)
Professional Degree
2.0% (1,216)
Doctorate Degree
2.0% (1,216)
Education La Mesa CA USA
< 9th Grade 3.0% 8.0% 5.0%
9-12th Grade 3.0% 7.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 17.0% 20.0% 26.0%
Some College 27.0% 20.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 12.0% 8.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 24.0% 22.0% 21.0%
Master's Degree 10.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 2.0% 3.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For La Mesa, California

  • 4.8% of households in La Mesa earn Less than $10,000.

  • 2.5% of households in La Mesa earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 5.2% of households in La Mesa earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 6.7% of households in La Mesa earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 7.7% of households in La Mesa earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 17.2% of households in La Mesa earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 13.0% of households in La Mesa earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 19.9% of households in La Mesa earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 10.8% of households in La Mesa earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 12.3% of households in La Mesa earn $200,000 or more.

Less than $10,000
4.8% (294,775)
$10,000 to $14,999
2.5% (151,253)
$15,000 to $24,999
5.2% (313,622)
$25,000 to $34,999
6.7% (405,196)
$35,000 to $49,999
7.7% (467,534)
$50,000 to $74,999
17.2% (1,047,179)
$75,000 to $99,999
13.0% (790,821)
$100,000 to $149,999
19.9% (1,210,031)
$150,000 to $199,999
10.8% (654,064)
$200,000 or more
12.3% (749,020)
Income La Mesa CA USA
Less than $10,000 4.8% 4.4% 4.9%
$10,000 to $14,999 2.5% 3.0% 3.6%
$15,000 to $24,999 5.2% 5.2% 6.6%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.7% 5.5% 6.8%
$35,000 to $49,999 7.7% 8.4% 10.4%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.2% 13.3% 15.7%
$75,000 to $99,999 13.0% 11.8% 12.7%
$100,000 to $149,999 19.9% 17.9% 17.4%
$150,000 to $199,999 10.8% 11.1% 9.3%
$200,000 or more 12.3% 19.4% 12.6%

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