Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
192,270
Glendale +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 142,878 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 14.5% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 63.5% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 5.8% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $41,869 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 32.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Glendale +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Glendale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Glendale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 31.8% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.0% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 15.2% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
30.2 min
Glendale +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 32.8 min | Glendale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Glendale 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, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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