Elk Grove 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)
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
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
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elk Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Elk Grove
39.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Elk Grove
34.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Elk Grove
18.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Elk Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 142,878 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 25.0% | 14.5% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 34.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 10.9% | 2.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Asian | 31.8% | 5.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 18.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Elk Grove
6.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Elk Grove
7.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $122,229 | $100,985 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,932 | $41,869 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 32.2% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elk Grove
$637,623
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $637,623 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 73.1% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
503
Elk Grove +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elk Grove
2388
Elk Grove +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Elk Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Elk Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
13.2%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.0% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 15.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.6% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elk Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | 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.)
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elk Grove
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elk Grove, 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
Elk Grove
33.7 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Elk Grove, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.7 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Elk Grove 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, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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