San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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 Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Torrance
28.7%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Torrance
22.0%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 95,358 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 28.7% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 34.8% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 5.1% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 22.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
San Francisco +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $118,253 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $42,884 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 5.9% | San Francisco + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 26.2% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Torrance
$1,128,110
Torrance +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $1,128,110 | Torrance + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Torrance
20.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 20.3% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 62.6°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
33.9 min
San Francisco +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 44.9 min | San Francisco + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, while torrance offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,128,110. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Francisco. San Francisco has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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