Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Torrance, CA
🏆 Chandler leads 17 of 22 categories
Chandler
Arizona
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$99,374
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Torrance
California
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,554 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82
Population
145,454
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
Homes cost $538k less ($423,900 vs $962,300)
57% less violent crime than Torrance
Rent averages $457/mo less ($1,675 vs $2,132)
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (3.8%)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Torrance
Cons
Median income trails Torrance by $10,180/yr
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Torrance, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 76°F vs 106°F
Households earn $10,180 more per year on average
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $962,300
Higher rents — median is $2,132/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Chandler
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 101.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Chandler
Violent Crime
57% lower
133.4 vs 311.2 per 100k
Chandler
Median Home Value
$538k less
$423,900 vs $962,300
Chandler
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.3% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
30.3°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 75.6°F
Torrance
Median Income
$10,180
$109,554 vs $99,374/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Torrance, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High ✓ Lower | $962,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,132⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 | $109,554 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 15.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 102⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 82 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B+ (107) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Torrance Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 66.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 75.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 13.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 145,454 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 54.8% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Torrance's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Chandler is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Chandler leads 17 of 22 categories. Chandler wins 17 and Torrance wins 5. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Chandler to Torrance or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $962,300 median home), income ($99,374 vs $109,554), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Torrance, CA are about 376 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.