Tempe AZ 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 95,358 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 35.2 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 60.1% | 34.8% | Tempe + |
| Black | 7.8% | 6.1% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 26.2% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $1,128,110 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 503 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2388 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 10.6% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 14.5 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 44.9 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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