2025 Compare Cities Education:
La Mesa, CA vs Petaluma, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Petaluma spends 3.0% more per student than La Mesa.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 8.1% lower in Petaluma than in La Mesa. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Petaluma had 3.1% fewer residents who had graduated High School compared to La Mesa
 La Mesa, CAPetaluma, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$16,850$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$13,161  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,508$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio22.65  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock142404573
 Students per Counselor513  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock4.6%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.5%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock90.5%88.9%
 Some College Educ.27.5%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock9.4%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.37.8%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock9.9%9.3%
 Professional Degree2.0%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock1.4%1.5%
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

   |    Reply

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

   |    Reply

I Need Correct Information I lived there Over 20 Years  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of La Mesa

Reviews for Petaluma    16 Reviews

I agree with the low star reviews. Been here for 25 years, raised a family and seen everything turn to the left and worse. Weather is glorious, love the old Victorians  More

   |    Reply

We’ve lived here for 3 years and we love it. It has taken some time to grow on us. We moved from SF where we had lived over 15 years, we were not used to one year leases  More

   |    Reply

I’ve lived here a couple of years (after living in others parts of the Bay Area for 15+ years) and I love it! Great neighborhoods, friendly folks, good schools with  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Petaluma


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.