Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 95,358 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 11.7% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 76.8% | 6.1% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $1,128,110 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 503 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2388 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.0% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 62.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 44.9 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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