Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 142,878 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 14.5% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.2% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.8% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $100,985 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $41,869 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 32.2% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Chandler +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Chandler +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Chandler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Chandler + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 31.8% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 17.0% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.2% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Chandler is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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