Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Torrance, CA
🏆 Torrance leads 13 of 22 categories
Fresno
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Torrance
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$109,554 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
82 ✓ Safer
Population
145,454
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $641k less ($321,800 vs $962,300)
Rent averages $905/mo less ($1,227 vs $2,132)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Torrance
Smaller class sizes — 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Torrance by $46,553/yr
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.3%)
Torrance, CA
Pros
Households earn $46,553 more per year on average
58% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.7 pts lower (5.3%)
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 76°F vs 98°F
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 55°F
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)
Property crime (2775.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$641k less
$321,800 vs $962,300
Fresno
Summer Heat
22.1°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 75.6°F
Torrance
Median Income
$46,553
$109,554 vs $63,001/yr
Torrance
Violent Crime
58% lower
311.2 vs 735.5 per 100k
Torrance
Unemployment
3.7 pp lower
5.3% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Torrance, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $962,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $2,132⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $109,554 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 15.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Torrance Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 75.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 13.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 145,454 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Torrance's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Torrance leads 13 of 22 categories. Fresno wins 9 and Torrance wins 13. 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 Fresno to Torrance or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $962,300 median home), income ($63,001 vs $109,554), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Torrance, CA are about 219 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.