Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 95,358 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 69.7% | 34.8% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 26.2% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $1,128,110 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 64.0% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Torrance
10.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 14.5 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 44.9 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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