Costa Mesa CA 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)
Costa Mesa, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,416,645
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
28.7%
White
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
22.0%
Hispanic
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 95,358 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 28.7% | - |
| White | N/A | 34.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 6.1% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 22.0% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 41.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Costa Mesa
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $118,253 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $42,884 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.7% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 26.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Costa Mesa
$1,416,645
Torrance
$1,128,110
Torrance +
Homeownership Rate
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,416,645 | $1,128,110 | Torrance + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 64.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
25.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.3%
Costa Mesa +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Costa Mesa
17.9%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.8%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
18.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Costa Mesa
9.7%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 10.6% | Costa Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Costa Mesa
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Costa Mesa
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Costa Mesa
N/A
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Costa Mesa, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 44.9 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,128,110. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Costa Mesa. 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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