Anchorage AK vs Torrance CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 95,358 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 58.3% | 34.8% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $42,884 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 26.2% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $1,128,110 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2388 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 10.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 62.6°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 44.9 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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