Torrance CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Waco
9.8%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 9.8% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 6.1% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 2.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 29.9% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $51,468 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $28,819 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 24.0% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 48.9% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 36.8% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 20.4% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 20.4% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.2% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 15.1% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 66.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | 36.4 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Torrance +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Torrance + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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