Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Torrance
28.7%
White
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 95,358 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.2 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 28.7% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 34.8% | Providence + |
| Black | 13.3% | 6.1% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 41.4% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 26.2% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $1,128,110 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 503 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2388 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 44.9 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Providence 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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