Santa Clarita 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)
Santa Clarita, CA
California · Population: 229,021
- Median HH Income$119,926
- Median Home Price$802,780
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.3%
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
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 95,358 | Santa Clarita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 53.1% | 34.8% | Santa Clarita + |
| Black | 4.4% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 36.0% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,926 | $118,253 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,571 | $42,884 | Santa Clarita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.3% | 26.2% | Santa Clarita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $802,780 | $1,128,110 | Santa Clarita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.0% | 64.0% | Santa Clarita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.6% | Santa Clarita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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.)
Santa Clarita
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Clarita
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Clarita, 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
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Santa Clarita +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Santa Clarita, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.4 min | 44.9 min | Santa Clarita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, while santa Clarita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $802,780. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita 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%.
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