Surprise vs Torrance: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Surprise, AZ and Torrance, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Torrance, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 145,591 | 145,454 |
| Median household income | $87,756 | $109,554 |
| Median home value | $352,600 | $962,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,822 | $2,132 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Surprise, AZ and Torrance, CA comes down to what you value most. Surprise has the lower median home value, and Surprise has the lower median rent.
Torrance has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Surprise or Torrance?
- By median home value, Surprise is the cheaper of the two ($352,600 vs $962,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Surprise or Torrance?
- Median household income is $87,756 in Surprise versus $109,554 in Torrance, per the US Census Bureau.