2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Columbia, TN vs La Mesa, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in La Mesa or is it cheaper to live in Columbia?
- La Mesa is 52.9% more expensive than Columbia.

Which city has more affordable housing, La Mesa or Columbia?
- La Mesa housing costs are 176.8% more expensive than Columbia housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Columbia or is Health Care more affordable in La Mesa.
- Health related expenses are 18.3% less in La Mesa.
 Columbia, TNLa Mesa, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock154.9100
 Food & Groceries98.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock89.0100
 Housing91.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$737,200$338,100
 Utilities98  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock119.9100
 Miscellaneous95.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Columbia    7 Reviews

Over 10 years ago

I was disturbed when I say old comments on this page. I recently moved to Columbia, TN. I saw associations with crime and other things that do not reflect what is by far  More

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Over 17 years ago

The jobs in Columbia, Tennessee are scarce in comparison to cities. It has been that way since the '90's. In the 90's General Electric and other major companies left the  More

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Over 18 years ago

Small old fashioned city. Not very progressive. great weather adequate schools no job growth. reasonable housing costs close to Nashville very few  More

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Reviews for La Mesa    9 Reviews

The same San Diego prices and high taxes, but not the nice weather. 15 degrees hotter than the coast. Save the money and move to AZ if you like the climate in La Mesa.  More

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I now live in Wyoming but I was a third generation San Diegan, my maternal grandmother having been born on Coronado Island in 1894. If you are a new arrival to the  More

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I Need Correct Information I lived there Over 20 Years  More

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