Irvine 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)
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
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
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irvine
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Irvine
38.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Irvine
2.0%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Irvine
11.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Irvine
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 142,878 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.3 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 39.3% | 14.5% | Irvine + |
| White | 38.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.0% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 44.1% | 5.8% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irvine
$77,230
Irvine +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Irvine
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Irvine
11.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,647 | $100,985 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,149 | $41,869 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Irvine + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 70.6% | 32.2% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irvine
$1,566,872
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Irvine
43.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,566,872 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
503
Irvine +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irvine
2388
Irvine +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Irvine + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Irvine + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 31.8% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 8.8% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.0% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.0% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.4% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 12.6% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
65.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irvine
14.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irvine
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Irvine, 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
Irvine
26.0 min
Irvine +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Irvine, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 32.8 min | Irvine + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Irvine 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, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
Compare More Cities
Irvine, CA vs New York, NYIrvine, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Irvine, CAHouston, TX vs Irvine, CAIrvine, CA vs Phoenix, AZIrvine, CA vs Philadelphia, PA