Torrance CA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.4 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 9.1% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 6.1% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 7.2% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 8.9% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $90,685 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 8.4% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 36.5% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.8% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.7% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 8.3% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.6% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.1% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
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