Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 95,358 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 81.0% | 34.8% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 26.2% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $1,128,110 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 10.6% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 62.6°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 44.9 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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