Eugene OR 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)
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
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
Eugene
177,520
Eugene +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Eugene
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Eugene
35.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Eugene
6.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Eugene
1.8%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Eugene
3.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Eugene
11.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Eugene
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,520 | 142,878 | Eugene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 78.9% | 63.5% | Eugene + |
| Black | 1.8% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 11.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Eugene
$63,836
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Eugene
$41,035
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Eugene
$63,691
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Eugene
7.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Eugene
18.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,836 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,035 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.2% | 32.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Eugene
$478,489
Eugene +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Eugene
47.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $478,489 | $505,085 | Eugene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Eugene
3001
Eugene +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Eugene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
34.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Eugene
9.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Eugene
19.9%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.2% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.4% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
52.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Eugene
46.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Eugene
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 32.8 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while eugene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $478,489. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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