Huntington Beach 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)
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
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
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 95,358 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 64.3% | 34.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $118,253 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $42,884 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.7% | Huntington Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 26.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Torrance
$1,128,110
Torrance +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $1,128,110 | Torrance + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Huntington Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | 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.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Huntington Beach +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 44.9 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while torrance offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,128,110. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Huntington Beach. Huntington Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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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