San Marcos TX 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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 Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Marcos
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
San Marcos
35.2
Torrance
35.2
Tie
Foreign Born
San Marcos
5.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
San Marcos
4.3%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
San Marcos
1.4%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
San Marcos
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 99,507 | 95,358 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 66.6% | 34.8% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 4.3% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 42.2% | 41.4% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Marcos
$64,146
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
San Marcos
$33,835
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Marcos
$63,758
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
San Marcos
11.9%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Marcos
24.9%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,146 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,835 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 5.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.9% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
San Marcos
63.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,452 | $1,128,110 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
442
San Marcos +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Marcos
2339
San Marcos +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | San Marcos + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | San Marcos + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
33.6%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Marcos
22.3%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
19.7%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Marcos
11.0%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 10.6% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.3% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
68.5°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Marcos
35.7 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.5°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Marcos
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | San Marcos, TX | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.0 min | 44.9 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, San Marcos is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
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