Torrance CA vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 10.0% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 6.1% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 4.9% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 18.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $63,072 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $35,958 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 15.9% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 58.4% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 39.5% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.7% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 12.9% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.4% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.3% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | 32.6 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Torrance. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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