San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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 Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 95,358 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 50.4% | 34.8% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $42,884 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 26.2% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
San Diego +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $1,128,110 | San Diego + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.6% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 62.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 14.5 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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 Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 44.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while san Diego offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,006,261. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego 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 Diego, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CAChicago, IL vs San Diego, CAHouston, TX vs San Diego, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Diego, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Diego, CA