Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Memphis
25.0%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 95,358 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 25.0% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 62.9% | 6.1% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 26.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $1,128,110 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2388 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 62.6°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 44.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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