Sunnyvale 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)
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
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
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
28.7%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Torrance
34.8%
Torrance +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
22.0%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 95,358 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.2 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 28.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 34.8% | Torrance + |
| Black | 1.5% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 22.0% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
$118,253
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Torrance
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $118,253 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $42,884 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 5.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 7.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 26.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Torrance
$1,128,110
Torrance +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $1,128,110 | Torrance + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Torrance
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Torrance
2388
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
20.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
13.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
8.0%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 20.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 10.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 13.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 5.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.0% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 8.0% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | 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.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, 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
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 44.9 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while torrance offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $1,128,110. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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