Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | La Mesa | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $86,461 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $72,738 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.9% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 16.3% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in La Mesa is about 11% lower than in California. Income has been growing slower in La Mesa (5.9%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 16% of adults in La Mesa earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in La Mesa, California grew by 65.8% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $86,461 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in La Mesa | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | La Mesa | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.543 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $77,817 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $68,707 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 11.7% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In La Mesa, it is 0.543, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 13% more than women's income in La Mesa, California. Over a 35-year career, a 13% wage gap accumulates to roughly $318,850 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in La Mesa, California has narrowed from about 14% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,683 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | La Mesa | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.8% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 22 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 2,109 people are unemployed in La Mesa, California.
The average commute time in La Mesa is 22 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in La Mesa, California has fallen from 9.0% to 6.2% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, La Mesa, California has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with California, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in La Mesa, California.
How Rich Is La Mesa, California?
La Mesa has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $86,461, about 11% lower than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in La Mesa, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in La Mesa, California is $86,461.
What was the median household income in La Mesa in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in La Mesa, California was $86,461.
What was the median household income in La Mesa in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in La Mesa, California was $70,188.
What is the Gini coefficient in La Mesa, California?
The Gini coefficient in La Mesa is 0.543. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in La Mesa, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in La Mesa, California has narrowed from about 14% to 12% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,683 since 2009.