Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Salem
1.6%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 95,358 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 69.8% | 34.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 1.6% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 26.2% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Salem +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $1,128,110 | Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 503 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 62.6°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Salem, OR | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 44.9 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $438,754. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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 Salem, ORLos Angeles, CA vs Salem, ORChicago, IL vs Salem, ORHouston, TX vs Salem, ORPhoenix, AZ vs Salem, ORPhiladelphia, PA vs Salem, OR