Columbia SC 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, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
138,019
Columbia +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 95,358 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 35.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 49.9% | 34.8% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 26.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $1,128,110 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 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 $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. 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%.
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