Glendale AZ 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)
Glendale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 271,118
- Median HH Income$121,351
- Median Home Price$408,630
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+47.5%
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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Glendale +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 271,118 | 142,878 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 9.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 72.7% | 63.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 3.4% | 2.2% | Glendale + |
| Asian | 6.6% | 5.8% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 17.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,351 | $100,985 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,825 | $41,869 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.6% | Glendale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.1% | 7.3% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.5% | 32.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Glendale +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,630 | $505,085 | Glendale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.9% | 73.1% | Glendale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Glendale +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Glendale +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.0% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.4% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | 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.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Glendale +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 32.8 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, while glendale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,630. On public safety, Glendale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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