Fremont 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)
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
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
Fremont
228,518
Fremont +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fremont
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fremont
38.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Fremont
19.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Fremont
2.9%
Fremont +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Fremont
12.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Fremont
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 228,518 | 142,878 | Fremont + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 50.1% | 14.5% | Fremont + |
| White | 19.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.9% | 2.2% | Fremont + |
| Asian | 62.5% | 5.8% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fremont
$77,230
Fremont +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $176,350 | $100,985 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $73,378 | $41,869 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Fremont + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 62.7% | 32.2% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fremont
$1,538,830
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Fremont
60.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,538,830 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
503
Fremont +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fremont
2388
Fremont +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Fremont + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Fremont + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fremont
9.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 31.8% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.7% | 17.0% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.9% | 15.2% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.4% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 12.6% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
59.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fremont
16.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fremont
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fremont, 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
Fremont
33.9 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Fremont, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Fremont is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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