Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Provo +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 95,358 | Provo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 35.2 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 78.6% | 34.8% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 26.2% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $1,128,110 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 503 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2388 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Torrance
8.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.6% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.0% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 8.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 62.6°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 44.9 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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