Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 95,358 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 59.4% | 34.8% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 10.5% | 6.1% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $42,884 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 26.2% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $1,128,110 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 503 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 62.6°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 44.9 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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