Torrance CA vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 13.6% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 6.1% | 3.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 5.3% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 17.2% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Vancouver
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Vancouver
5.6%
Vancouver +
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Vancouver
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $78,156 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $42,839 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Vancouver + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 11.1% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 49.9% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 36.2% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.1% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 9.4% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.3% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 11.7% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | 41.6 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Vancouver has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Vancouver 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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