Pasadena CA 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Torrance
95,358
Torrance +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Torrance
28.7%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Torrance
22.0%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 95,358 | Torrance + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 28.7% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 34.8% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 2.2% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 22.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $118,253 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $42,884 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 5.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 7.7% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 26.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Torrance
$1,128,110
Torrance +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $1,128,110 | Torrance + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 44.9 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while torrance offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,128,110. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Pasadena, CALos Angeles, CA vs Pasadena, CAChicago, IL vs Pasadena, CAHouston, TX vs Pasadena, CAPasadena, CA vs Phoenix, AZPasadena, CA vs Philadelphia, PA