Torrance CA vs Tuscaloosa AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 4.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 6.1% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 2.6% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $48,536 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $31,324 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 23.8% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 45.1% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 42.6% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.0% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 21.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 11.5% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.1% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.7% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 65.0°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | 55.0 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. 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 Torrance, CALos Angeles, CA vs Torrance, CAChicago, IL vs Torrance, CAHouston, TX vs Torrance, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Torrance, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Torrance, CA