Elizabeth NJ 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)
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
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
Elizabeth
135,887
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elizabeth
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Elizabeth
35.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Elizabeth
24.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Elizabeth
1.8%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Elizabeth
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,887 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 50.6% | 14.5% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 24.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 17.1% | 2.2% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 66.8% | 37.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elizabeth
$63,874
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Elizabeth
$28,490
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Elizabeth
6.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Elizabeth
15.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elizabeth
14.2%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,874 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,490 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,653 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.2% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elizabeth
$531,592
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Elizabeth
25.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,592 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 512 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3234 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
34.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
13.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elizabeth
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
28.1%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elizabeth
15.0%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elizabeth
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | 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.)
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elizabeth
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Elizabeth, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.3 min | 32.8 min | Elizabeth + |
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, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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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