Columbus OH 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 95,358 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 53.3% | 34.8% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 6.1% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 26.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $1,128,110 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 44.9 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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