Aurora 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Aurora +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Aurora
49.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Aurora +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 142,878 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 14.5% | Aurora + |
| White | 49.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 15.8% | 2.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 5.8% | Aurora + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Thornton
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 32.2% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $505,085 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Thornton
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Thornton
3234
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, 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
Aurora
29.1%
Aurora +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Thornton
17.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 31.8% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, 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.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, 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
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 32.8 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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