Los Angeles neighborhood guide
Torrance
Vertical tick marks the LA neighborhood median.
Rent in Torrance
Rent control: Torrancehas no local rent-stabilization ordinance we track, so California's statewide cap (AB 1482) is the main protection. It limits annual increases on most buildings at least 15 years old, with exemptions. Verify a building's status before signing.
General information, not legal advice.
How Torrance scores for you
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Torrance is a planned city in the South Bay region of southwestern Los Angeles County, founded in 1912 as a designed community. Today it's a quiet residential city with a mix of single-family neighborhoods and modest apartment complexes, bordered by Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes, and Gardena. The city spans a compact, manageable area with tree-lined streets and a local commercial corridor.
Day-to-day life in Torrance centers on car-based living. You'll find about seven restaurants, two coffee shops, a grocery store, and a gym within a short walk of most addresses, making some errands doable without driving, but most trips require a car. There is no rail transit in or near the city, and bus service is limited, so owning or having regular access to a vehicle is essential.
Living here
Torrance ranks 202nd for walkability out of 319 comparable Southern California neighborhoods, meaning some errands are walkable but a car is useful for most trips. The city has above-average traffic exposure (rank 201st of 317) and moderate diesel PM exposure for California standards (rank 210th of 318), trade-offs typical of a suburban location in the Los Angeles metro area. You'll experience quieter residential streets than denser urban areas, but that comes with car dependency.
Who it's for
Torrance works well for renters who have reliable car access and value quiet, established residential neighborhoods over walkability and nightlife. Families, commuters working in the South Bay or Harbor Area, and anyone seeking a lower-key suburban feel will find it fits; those who rely on public transit or prefer dense, walkable urban living should look elsewhere.
Environment & livability
Air quality: moderate diesel PM exposure for California.
Above the state median, linked to mild long-term respiratory risk in some studies. Worth considering for sensitive households.
Traffic exposure: above-average traffic corridor exposure.
Higher traffic proximity correlates with elevated noise, diesel emissions, and reduced pedestrian comfort on nearby streets.
Tree cover: very limited tree cover, predominantly concrete.
Low canopy areas tend to run hotter and feel more exposed. Research links tree cover to lower ambient temperatures and improved pedestrian comfort.
Walkability: walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
A mixed walkability area. Good for quick trips on foot, but some destinations will require driving or transit.
Transit: minimal transit access, car strongly recommended.
Very infrequent or no meaningful transit nearby. Car dependency is high in this area.
Environmental data from CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and the EPA Smart Location Database. Informational only, not professional advice for a housing decision.
Who lives in Torrance
Population
116,165
Renters
39%
of households rent
Median age
44
Median income
$118k
per household
Census ACS 5-year estimates.
Around Torrance
Trader Joe's · Super Al-Amin · Vons · Grocery Outlet
85°C · Tea Station · Peet's Coffee · Chagee
Chili's · Canaan Café · Jack in the Box · Fosters Freeze
La Romeria Park · Delthorne Park · Massena Parkette · Columbia Park
Orangetheory Fitness · GR Ware Fitness · 9Round · Club Pilates
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Finding a place in Torrance
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Torrance?+
Yes. Torrance has no rail transit and minimal bus service. While some grocery stores, restaurants, and shops are scattered throughout, most errands and commutes require a car.
What kind of restaurants and shops are nearby?+
You'll find about seven restaurants, two coffee shops, a grocery store, and a gym within a short walk depending on your location. Chains like Chili's and Jack in the Box are common, along with local options like Canaan Café. Trader Joe's, Vons, and other grocers serve different neighborhoods.
How is the air quality and traffic?+
Torrance has moderate diesel PM exposure (better than some areas, worse than others in Southern California) and experiences above-average traffic exposure. Neither is exceptional, but both are typical for suburban Los Angeles County locations.
Is Torrance a walkable neighborhood?+
Partially. It ranks 202nd of 319 areas for walkability, meaning you can handle some errands on foot but will need a car for most activities and commutes. It's quieter than denser neighborhoods, but less convenient for car-free living.
Is Torrance walkable?+
Torrance ranks #100 of 346 LA neighborhoods for walkability. In practice, walkable for some errands, car useful for others.
What is the average rent in Torrance?+
Current residents of Torrance pay a median rent of about $2,317 per month (Census ACS). Asking rents for new leases typically run higher.
How is the air quality in Torrance?+
Torrance has moderate diesel PM exposure for California, based on CalEnviroScreen 4.0 diesel particulate data (percentile 62 of 100, lower is cleaner).
Which LA neighborhoods are similar to Torrance?+
Based on walkability, rent levels, amenities, and environment, the most similar neighborhoods to Torrance are Artesia, Costa Mesa, Playa Vista and Fullerton.