Pittsburgh PA 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 95,358 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 35.2 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 63.7% | 34.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 22.5% | 6.1% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $42,884 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 26.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $1,128,110 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2388 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
20.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
13.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
5.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Torrance
8.0%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 20.3% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 13.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 5.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.0% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.0% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 62.6°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Pittsburgh +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 44.9 min | Pittsburgh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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