Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 95,358 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.2 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 54.8% | 34.8% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 6.1% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $42,884 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 26.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Torrance
$1,128,110
Torrance +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $1,128,110 | Torrance + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Torrance
8.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.6% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 8.0% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Berkeley +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 62.6°F | Berkeley + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 44.9 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while torrance offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,128,110. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Berkeley. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA