Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Manchester +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 95,358 | Manchester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 76.7% | 34.8% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $42,884 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.9% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 26.2% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $1,128,110 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 503 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 2388 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 62.6°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 44.9 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
Compare More Cities
Manchester, NH vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Manchester, NHChicago, IL vs Manchester, NHHouston, TX vs Manchester, NHManchester, NH vs Phoenix, AZManchester, NH vs Philadelphia, PA