St. Petersburg FL 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. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Petersburg
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
St. Petersburg
43.1
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
St. Petersburg
10.1%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
St. Petersburg
66.2%
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
St. Petersburg
19.4%
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
St. Petersburg
3.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
St. Petersburg
9.3%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
St. Petersburg
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 260,646 | 95,358 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.1 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 66.2% | 34.8% | St. Petersburg + |
| Black | 19.4% | 6.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Petersburg
$73,118
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
St. Petersburg
11.7%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,118 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,823 | $42,884 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 26.2% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Petersburg
$331,500
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
St. Petersburg
63.0%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $331,500 | $1,128,110 | St. Petersburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
32.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.2%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
16.6%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Petersburg
12.4%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Petersburg
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | 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. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Petersburg
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
St. Petersburg +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 44.9 min | St. Petersburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while st. Petersburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $331,500. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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