Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MA
VS
Torrance, CA
🏆 Torrance leads 15 of 23 categories
Springfield
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305 ✓ Larger
Torrance
California
15
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.
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $764k less ($198,500 vs $962,300)
Rent averages $1085/mo less ($1,047 vs $2,132)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Torrance
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Torrance by $61,877/yr
Violent crime (891.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2835.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 5.3%)
Torrance, CA
Pros
Households earn $61,877 more per year on average
65% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (5.3%)
More college-educated — 52.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 35°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 76°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $962,300
Higher rents — median is $2,132/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Springfield
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$764k less
$198,500 vs $962,300
Springfield
Summer Heat
9.3°F warmer
July avg high 84.9°F vs 75.6°F
Torrance
Median Income
$61,877
$109,554 vs $47,677/yr
Torrance
Violent Crime
65% lower
311.2 vs 891.4 per 100k
Torrance
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
5.3% vs 8.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Torrance, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $198,500 ✓ Lower | $962,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,047 ✓ Lower | $2,132⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $47,677 | $109,554 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7%⚠ High | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter | 27.8 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 15.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 195⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 235⚠ High | 82 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 135⚠ High | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B+ (107) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 52.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.6% | 95.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Springfield | Torrance Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.8°F | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer | 75.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.3" | 13.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 155,305 ✓ Larger | 145,454 |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 42.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 54.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 20.8% |
| Over 65 | 13.0% | 17.5% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Torrance's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Torrance leads 15 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 8 and Torrance wins 15. 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 Springfield to Torrance or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,500 vs $962,300 median home), income ($47,677 vs $109,554), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MA and Torrance, CA are about 2,529 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.