Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Fresno
38.0%
Fresno +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 95,358 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.2 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 38.0% | 34.8% | Fresno + |
| Black | 6.7% | 6.1% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 41.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $1,128,110 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 14.5 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 44.9 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fresno. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Fresno, CA vs New York, NYFresno, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fresno, CAFresno, CA vs Houston, TXFresno, CA vs Phoenix, AZFresno, CA vs Philadelphia, PA