Lancaster 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Lancaster
35.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 142,878 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 21.4% | 2.2% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 37.4% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $505,085 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
Lancaster +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Lancaster + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 31.8% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.4% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
33.0 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster 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, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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