Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 95,358 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 35.2 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 44.0% | 34.8% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 6.1% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $42,884 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 26.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $1,128,110 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 62.6°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 44.9 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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