Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 95,358 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 72.7% | 34.8% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $118,253 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $42,884 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 5.9% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 7.7% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 26.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $1,128,110 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 64.0% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | 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.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 44.9 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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