Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 95,358 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 83.6% | 34.8% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $42,884 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 26.2% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Boise +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $1,128,110 | Boise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 503 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2388 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Torrance
20.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Torrance
13.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Torrance
5.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Torrance
8.0%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 62.6°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 44.9 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while boise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $504,894. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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