Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Hartford +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Hartford
26.4%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 95,358 | Hartford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 26.4% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 36.1% | 6.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 41.4% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Torrance
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $77,230 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $1,128,110 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 503 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2388 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.0% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 62.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 44.9 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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