Gresham 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Gresham +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 14.5% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 63.5% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 2.2% | Gresham + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Gresham +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $505,085 | Gresham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Gresham +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Gresham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 31.8% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.2% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.4% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Gresham, 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
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 32.8 min | Gresham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while gresham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $472,119. On public safety, Gresham 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, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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