Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 95,358 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 74.3% | 34.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 26.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $1,128,110 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 10.6% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | 62.6°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 44.9 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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
Columbia, MO vs New York, NYColumbia, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, MOColumbia, MO vs Houston, TXColumbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, MO vs Philadelphia, PA