Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Fresno +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 142,878 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 14.5% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 6.7% | 2.2% | Fresno + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 5.8% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 37.4% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Fresno +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $505,085 | Fresno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Fresno +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Fresno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.4% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.8 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while fresno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $391,442. On public safety, Fresno 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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