Bakersfield CA 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Bakersfield +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Bakersfield +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 142,878 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 14.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 6.2% | 2.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 5.8% | Bakersfield + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 37.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Bakersfield +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Bakersfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Bakersfield +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $505,085 | Bakersfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Bakersfield +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Bakersfield +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Bakersfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Bakersfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
34.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Bakersfield +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Bakersfield +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 32.8 min | Bakersfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while bakersfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $396,712. On public safety, Bakersfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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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