2025 Compare Cities Overview:
La Mesa, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Santa Barbara older or younger than people in La Mesa?
- The Median Age in Santa Barbara is 3.1 years older than in La Mesa.

Are housing costs cheaper in Santa Barbara or La Mesa?
- Santa Barbara housing costs are 106.9% more expensive than La Mesa housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Santa Barbara or La Mesa?
- The average commute for residents of Santa Barbara is 7.2 minutes shorter than it is for residents of La Mesa.

Things to do in La Mesa?
La Mesa, California is a sunny city located in San Diego County. This vibrant community has plenty to offer anyone looking for an exciting place to live or visit. La Mesa has some of the best dining and shopping opportunities in the area, as well as access to several outdoor activities. Families will love the family-friendly attractions available throughout the area, such as roaming train rides and zoos. There are also great educational institutions nearby, making it a great place for students of all ages. With its beautiful weather year-round, La Mesa is an excellent destination to call home!

Things to do in Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara, California has something for everyone - from fantastic beaches to world-class shopping and dining experiences. Visitors can explore Old Mission Santa Barbara or take part in various water activities around Stearns Wharf.

 La Mesa, CASanta Barbara, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock89,132329,725,481
 Median Income$75,616  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock39.138.4
 Avg. Home Price$737,200  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.1%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time24.32  Unlock26.38
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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Reviews for Santa Barbara    51 Reviews

I moved to Santa Barbara around 23 years ago to study at Brooks, which like most of the Santa Barbara that I knew—has been destroyed. Homelessness, drugs, gangs, high  More

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Over 4 years ago

I fell in love with Santa Barbara about thirty years ago and finally moved here a few years ago. Because of the price of homes, it is an expensive place to live. The  More

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If you like high crime, paying a $4,500 a month mortgage and crazy high taxes, this is the place for you. It’s too bad because it wasn’t always like this. When I moved  More

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