Stockton 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)
Stockton, CA
California · Population: 320,470
- Median HH Income$76,851
- Median Home Price$431,297
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+19.1%
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
Stockton
320,470
Stockton +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stockton
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Stockton
33.7
Stockton +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Stockton
25.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Stockton
26.6%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Stockton
11.6%
Stockton +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Stockton
21.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Stockton
45.2%
Stockton +
Torrance
41.4%
Spanish at Home
Stockton
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 320,470 | 95,358 | Stockton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 35.2 | Stockton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 26.6% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 11.6% | 6.1% | Stockton + |
| Asian | 21.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 45.2% | 41.4% | Stockton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stockton
$76,851
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Stockton
$31,279
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stockton
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Stockton
8.0%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Stockton
15.4%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stockton
19.1%
Torrance
26.2%
Torrance +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,851 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,279 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.1% | 26.2% | Torrance + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stockton
$431,297
Stockton +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Stockton
53.2%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $431,297 | $1,128,110 | Stockton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stockton
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, 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
Stockton
31.8%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.5%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stockton
18.1%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stockton
15.0%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.3%
Stockton +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stockton
13.8%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.0% | Stockton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
62.2°F
Stockton +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stockton
17.8 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.2°F | 62.6°F | Stockton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.8 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stockton
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stockton
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stockton, 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
Stockton
33.2 min
Stockton +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Stockton, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.2 min | 44.9 min | Stockton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while stockton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $431,297. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Stockton. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Stockton, CALos Angeles, CA vs Stockton, CAChicago, IL vs Stockton, CAHouston, TX vs Stockton, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Stockton, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Stockton, CA