Springfield MO 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)
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 95,358 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 35.2 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 85.2% | 34.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 26.2% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $1,128,110 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 62.6°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 44.9 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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