Tampa 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)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
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
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 95,358 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 51.8% | 34.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 21.3% | 6.1% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Torrance
$42,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $42,884 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Tampa +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $1,128,110 | Tampa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Tampa +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 44.9 min | Tampa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while tampa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $376,530. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa 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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