Arvada CO 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)
Arvada, CO
Colorado · Population: 122,835
- Median HH Income$113,396
- Median Home Price$617,536
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+50.0%
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
Arvada
122,835
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arvada
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Arvada
40.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Arvada
5.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Arvada
82.8%
Arvada +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Arvada
1.0%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Arvada
2.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Arvada
15.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Arvada
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,835 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 82.8% | 63.5% | Arvada + |
| Black | 1.0% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arvada
$113,396
Arvada +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Arvada
$56,655
Arvada +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arvada
$76,653
Thornton
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Arvada
3.9%
Arvada +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Arvada
6.0%
Arvada +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arvada
50.0%
Arvada +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,396 | $100,985 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Income | $56,655 | $41,869 | Arvada + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Arvada + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.0% | 7.3% | Arvada + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.0% | 32.2% | Arvada + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arvada
$617,536
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Arvada
74.9%
Arvada +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $617,536 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.9% | 73.1% | Arvada + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
512
Thornton
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arvada
3234
Thornton
3234
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
23.4%
Arvada +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.3%
Arvada +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arvada
15.1%
Arvada +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arvada
8.4%
Arvada +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arvada
19.9%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arvada
10.3%
Arvada +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 31.8% | Arvada + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.8% | Arvada + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.0% | Arvada + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.2% | Arvada + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.6% | Arvada + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arvada
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arvada
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arvada
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arvada
28.6 min
Arvada +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Arvada, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.6 min | 32.8 min | Arvada + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arvada leads in median household income at $113,396, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Arvada. Arvada has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arvada scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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