St. Louis 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 95,358 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 45.7% | 34.8% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 43.1% | 6.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.9% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 26.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $1,128,110 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | 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.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 44.9 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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