Torrance CA vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Torrance
95,358
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Torrance
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
Torrance
34.8%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Torrance
6.1%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Wilmington
17.9%
Spanish at Home
Torrance
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,358 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.6 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 10.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 34.8% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 6.1% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 22.0% | 2.3% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 41.4% | 17.9% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Torrance
26.2%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $118,253 | $57,673 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,884 | $35,074 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 17.9% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.2% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Torrance
$1,128,110
Wilmington
$419,326
Wilmington +
Homeownership Rate
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,128,110 | $419,326 | Wilmington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% | 54.6% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
503
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Torrance
2388
Wilmington
1999
Wilmington +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Wilmington
31.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Wilmington
10.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
Wilmington
12.2%
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 31.9% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.4% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 9.6% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.5% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.2% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 63.8°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.5 in | 58.4 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Torrance
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Torrance
44.9 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | Torrance, CA | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.9 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while wilmington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $419,326. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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%.
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