San Bernardino CA 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 95,358 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 35.2 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 27.6% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 11.8% | 6.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 41.4% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $1,128,110 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | 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.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 44.9 min | San Bernardino + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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 San Bernardino, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Bernardino, CAChicago, IL vs San Bernardino, CAHouston, TX vs San Bernardino, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Bernardino, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Bernardino, CA