Aurora IL 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
24,510
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Aurora
63.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Aurora +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.6% | 2.2% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Aurora +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $505,085 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 73.1% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Thornton
15.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.0% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Aurora +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 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 $320,635. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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