Downey 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Downey +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Downey
21.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Downey
0.4%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.3 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 14.5% | Downey + |
| White | 21.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 0.4% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 37.4% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Downey +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Downey + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Downey +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Downey +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Downey + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Downey + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
27.6%
Downey +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Downey +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 31.8% | Downey + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.0% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.2% | Downey + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.4% | Downey + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.6% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, 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
Downey
33.1 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
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, Downey 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, Downey scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.6%.
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