Jersey City NJ 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)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
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
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 142,878 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 14.5% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.2% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $41,869 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,653 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 32.2% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 512 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3234 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Jersey City +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.8% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.0% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.2% | Jersey City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.6% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | 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.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
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, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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