How expensive is Torrance?
Torrance costs more than Los Angeles County as a whole, mainly because of housing. Zillow's typical home value of $1,100,115 in September 2026 is about 9.5 times the city's median household income of $116,217 (Census Bureau, 2020-2024). Home values have risen 82.2% in ten years and 20.4% in five. The county's median household income is $90,112, so Torrance households earn more, but not enough to close the gap on home prices.
Renting is closer to the county's norms. Zillow's typical rent of $3,006 a month is up 3.5% in a year; a household on the median income would spend about 31% of gross pay on it. Outside housing, Torrance pays county-level prices for food, transport and child care, a 10.75% sales tax, and city trash fees that rise every July through 2027.
Housing costs in Torrance
Buying a home in Torrance
With 20% down ($220,023) on Zillow's typical value of $1,100,115, the loan is $880,092. At Freddie Mac's 7.24% average for the week of October 29, 2026, principal and interest come to about $5,998 a month. Redfin's median sale price for the three months to September 2026 was higher, $1,174,441. The cheapest entry points are condos: Redfin's condo median was $424,987 in ZIP 90502. See the Torrance condo guide.
Renting in Torrance
Zillow's observed rent was $3,006 in September 2026, a record for the series and 50.8% above ten years earlier. The Census Bureau's median gross rent, which includes long-running leases, was $2,280 for 2020-2024. About 45% of occupied homes in Torrance are rented and 55% are owned.
Property tax in Torrance
In tax rate area 9327, the 2026-27 rate is 1.101432% of assessed value, according to the Los Angeles County Auditor-Controller: the 1% general levy, 0.070253% for Torrance Unified school bonds, 0.022679% for the community college district and 0.0085% for the Metropolitan Water District. On a $1,100,115 purchase that is about $12,117 a year, or $1,010 a month, before the homeowners' exemption and any fixed charges. Rates differ slightly by tax rate area; our Los Angeles County property tax guide explains how to find yours.
Prop 13 gaps between Torrance neighbors
Because assessed values reset mainly at sale and annual increases are capped after that, a long-time owner on your street may pay a fraction of your bill. Budget on your purchase price, not the seller's tax bill. Our California property tax guide covers Prop 13, and the Prop 19 guide covers moving a tax base.
Insurance, HOA dues and special taxes in Torrance
Insurance depends on the home's age, roof and hazard zones, so get quotes before you commit; our California homeowners insurance guide explains the market. Condo and townhouse buyers add HOA dues, which vary by complex. Check the tax bill for any special assessments or Mello-Roos charges.
Everyday costs in Torrance
Electricity, water and trash in Torrance
Torrance is not on Clean Power Alliance's list of member cities, unlike neighboring Redondo Beach and Hawthorne. Southern California Edison, which says it delivers power to more than 180 incorporated cities across central, coastal and Southern California, is the utility to check first; ask the seller or landlord for a recent electric bill to confirm the provider and rate plan. Water comes from one of two suppliers depending on the address: Torrance Municipal Water, a city-owned utility and founding member of the Metropolitan Water District, or Cal Water. City trash service costs $49.14 a month for a 64-gallon container and $52.29 for a 96-gallon container from July 1, 2026, rising to $53.08 and $56.48 on July 1, 2027. A reduced rate of $15.08 applies to qualifying low-income, senior and disabled residents.
Groceries in Torrance
The MIT Living Wage Calculator, which works at the county level, puts food at $4,463 a year for one adult in Los Angeles County and $13,062 for two working adults with two children. Use those as a baseline; your own spending will depend on where and how you shop.
Transportation in Torrance
MIT estimates $8,681 a year for one adult. In Torrance, 69.7% of workers drive alone, 20.8% work from home and 0.9% ride transit, with a mean commute of 26.9 minutes (Census, 2020-2024). The city runs Torrance Transit buses and Connect Torrance, an on-demand shared ride service within the city.
Health care and child care in Torrance
MIT's Los Angeles County figures are $3,255 a year in medical costs for one adult, and $13,191 a year in child care for one child or $26,634 for two. Ask local providers for current tuition, which can run above the county average.
Internet and phone in Torrance
MIT budgets $1,517 a year for internet and mobile service for one adult and $2,140 for a two-adult household. Check which providers serve your address before you sign a lease or close escrow.
Taxes in Torrance
Torrance sales tax
The sales and use tax rate in Torrance is 10.75% from October 1, 2026, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. That is half a point above Redondo Beach and the City of Los Angeles at 10.25%, and below Gardena at 11.25% and Carson, Hawthorne, Lawndale and Lomita at 11%.
Transfer tax when you sell in Torrance
Torrance does not levy a city documentary transfer tax. A sale pays the county's $1.10 per $1,000, about $1,210 on $1,100,115. Redondo Beach adds $2.20 per $1,000 on top, according to the county Registrar-Recorder. Our California transfer tax guide covers who usually pays.
Salary needed to live in Torrance
MIT's living wage is the pre-tax income a household needs for basic needs at Los Angeles County prices. It assumes county-level rents, which are lower than Torrance's, so treat it as a floor.
| Los Angeles County household (MIT) | Hourly wage per worker | Yearly income before tax |
|---|---|---|
| Single adult | $28.92 | $60,161 |
| Single adult with one child | $50.23 | $104,483 |
| Two adults, one earner, one child | $47.29 | $98,358 |
| Two earners, one child | $27.88 each | $115,996 |
| Two earners, two children | $33.83 each | $140,735 |
Torrance housing changes the picture. Our calculation: renting at Zillow's typical $3,006 and keeping rent to 30% of gross pay needs about $120,000 a year. Buying at the typical $1,100,115 with 20% down at 7.24%, principal, interest and property tax come to about $7,008 a month; keeping that to 36% of gross pay needs about $234,000 a year before insurance. The city's median household income is $116,217, which is enough to rent the typical home but about half what buying it takes.
Torrance cost of living vs nearby cities
Home values and rents are Zillow's for September 2026; incomes are Census 2020-2024 medians; sales tax is from October 1, 2026. Each column uses one measure for every city.
| City | Zillow typical home value | 1-year change | Zillow typical rent | Median household income | Sales tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torrance | $1,100,115 | +1.9% | $3,006 | $116,217 | 10.75% |
| Redondo Beach | $1,473,478 | +2.4% | $3,483 | $150,245 | 10.25% |
| El Segundo | $1,719,205 | +3.9% | $3,253 | $150,737 | 10.75% |
| Hermosa Beach | $2,272,277 | +5.5% | $3,970 | $166,442 | 10.25% |
| Hawthorne | $863,012 | +1.6% | $2,151 | $75,848 | 11% |
| Long Beach | $852,391 | +2.4% | $2,412 | $87,430 | 11% |
| Los Angeles | $927,891 | -0.5% | $2,772 | $81,939 | 10.25% |
Torrance's typical home costs about $373,000 less than Redondo Beach's and about $237,000 more than Hawthorne's. Its rent is $477 below Redondo Beach and $855 above Hawthorne. See the Redondo Beach, El Segundo and Long Beach cost of living pages for those cities.
Ways to lower your costs in Torrance
- Compare ZIPs. Zillow's typical value ranges from $725,824 in 90502 to $1,409,942 in 90505.
- Look at townhouses. Redfin's townhouse median was $749,901 in 90504, against $1,091,225 for detached houses in the same ZIP.
- File the homeowners' exemption with the County Assessor on your main home.
- Pick the smaller trash container. The 64-gallon container is $3.15 a month cheaper than the 96-gallon one from July 2026.
- Ask about utility discounts. Torrance offers a low-income senior or permanently disabled discount on water bills, and Cal Water runs a discount program for eligible households.
- Shop insurance each year and compare deductibles.
For the full picture of living here, read is Torrance a good place to live.