Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Bend +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 14.5% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 63.5% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 2.2% | Bend + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.8% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $41,869 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 32.2% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Bend +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 31.8% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.0% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 15.2% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 12.6% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Bend, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 min | Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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