Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Lakeland +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 95,358 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 74.1% | 34.8% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 6.1% | Lakeland + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Lakeland +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 26.2% | Lakeland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Lakeland +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $1,128,110 | Lakeland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Lakeland +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 44.9 min | Lakeland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while lakeland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,001. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
Compare More Cities
Lakeland, FL vs New York, NYLakeland, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Lakeland, FLHouston, TX vs Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL vs Phoenix, AZLakeland, FL vs Philadelphia, PA