Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Boulder +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 95,358 | Boulder + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 35.2 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 81.8% | 34.8% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $42,884 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 26.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Boulder +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $1,128,110 | Boulder + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Torrance
20.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 20.3% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 10.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 62.6°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 44.9 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while boulder offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $970,905. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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