Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 95,358 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 72.2% | 34.8% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 6.1% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $1,128,110 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 62.6°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 44.9 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. 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%.
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