Torrance 76 Exceptional
Torrance Livability #95 ranked city in California#3,501 ranked city in the USARanks better than 88% of areas
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Torrance, CA - A Balanced City

Torrance, CA, known as 'A Balanced City,' offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and modern urban amenities. Located in Los Angeles County, Torrance is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Los Angeles (20 miles) and Long Beach (15 miles) enhance its status as a central point in the region. Torrance's blend of scenic landscapes, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.

Torrance is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Del Amo Fashion Center, the historic Torrance Cultural Arts Center, and the scenic Torrance Beach. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Madrona Marsh Preserve to the bustling Old Torrance Downtown, known for its shopping and dining. Torrance's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from Californian cuisine to international dishes.

Annual events such as the Torrance Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival and the Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Torrance's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like El Camino College contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.

The arts and culture scene in Torrance is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Torrance Art Museum and the James R. Armstrong Theatre are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Torrance provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.

Torrance’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the LA Galaxy (MLS), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Torrance include healthcare, education, and manufacturing, with significant employers such as Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Honda driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents.

Pros and Cons of Living in Torrance

PROS
  • Amenities Amenities

    Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.

  • Commute Commute

    The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Schools Schools

    The high score in the schools category can be attributed to outstanding test scores, elevated graduation rates and the convenient placement of elementary and high schools in this area.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    This area is known for its high cost of living, which means you should anticipate higher costs for everyday goods and services, housing, groceries, and health care.

What's it like Living in Torrance?

Torrance is a medium-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 150,066 residents. Torrance has a population density of 7,329 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. Individuals of White (43%) and Asian (38%) backgrounds make up a significant portion of the population of Torrance. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Torrance, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 29 minutes.

If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a good experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in Torrance, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Torrance and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Torrance to California and the national average.

Torrance has a livability score of 77/100 and is ranked #85 in California and #2,761 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Torrance ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Torrance ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we know that Torrance ranks very well for education (A+) and employment (A+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Torrance. The following was graded with a concerning score: cost of living (F).

Living in Torrance offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Torrance provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Torrance are: Wilson Park, Riviera Health Spa, and Torrance Cultural Arts Center.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Torrance is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Torrance come in at $1,465,502, which is 100.3% higher than the California average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Torrance, the home price to income ratio is 10.3, which is 33.8% higher than the California average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Torrance

See all the best places to live around Torrance

How Do You Rate The Livability In Torrance?

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Compare Torrance, CA Livability

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      Torrance transportation information

      Statistic Torrance California National
      Average one way commute29min28min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.3%73.5%76.4%
      Workers who carpool6.8%10.6%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit1.7%5.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%1.1%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.4%2.7%2.8%
      Working from home9.0%5.4%4.6%
      Source: The Torrance, CA data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.