Anchorage AK vs Thornton CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Anchorage +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 142,878 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 58.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.2% | Anchorage + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 5.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $41,869 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 32.2% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Anchorage +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $505,085 | Anchorage + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 3234 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.0% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.2% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 32.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while anchorage offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,014. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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