Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.5% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 7.4% | 2.2% | Berkeley + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 5.8% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $100,985 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $41,869 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 32.2% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Berkeley +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Berkeley +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Berkeley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Berkeley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 31.8% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.8% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.2% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.6% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
32.2 min
Berkeley +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 32.8 min | Berkeley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Berkeley 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, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA