Huntington Beach 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)
Huntington Beach, CA
California · Population: 196,010
- Median HH Income$119,885
- Median Home Price$1,364,265
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+47.2%
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
Huntington Beach
196,010
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington Beach
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Huntington Beach
43.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Huntington Beach
16.4%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Huntington Beach
64.3%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Huntington Beach
1.3%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Huntington Beach
12.6%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Huntington Beach
19.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Huntington Beach
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,010 | 142,878 | Huntington Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 14.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| White | 64.3% | 63.5% | Huntington Beach + |
| Black | 1.3% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 12.6% | 5.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington Beach
$119,885
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Huntington Beach
$62,450
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington Beach
$77,230
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Huntington Beach
5.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Huntington Beach
7.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington Beach
47.2%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,885 | $100,985 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,450 | $41,869 | Huntington Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Huntington Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.2% | 32.2% | Huntington Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington Beach
$1,364,265
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Huntington Beach
55.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,364,265 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
503
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington Beach
2388
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Huntington Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Huntington Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
24.0%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
10.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
6.4%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
16.2%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington Beach
8.9%
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 31.8% | Huntington Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Huntington Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 15.2% | Huntington Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.4% | Huntington Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.6% | Huntington Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington Beach
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | 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.)
Huntington Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington Beach
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntington Beach, 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
Huntington Beach
31.2 min
Huntington Beach +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Huntington Beach, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.2 min | 32.8 min | Huntington Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntington Beach leads in median household income at $119,885, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Huntington Beach 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, Huntington Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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