Pasadena TX 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
125,983
Pasadena +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 95,358 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 45.5% | 34.8% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 18.1% | 6.1% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $42,884 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 5.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 7.7% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 26.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $1,128,110 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 64.0% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Pasadena +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 44.9 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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