Las Vegas NV 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)
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
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
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Las Vegas
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Las Vegas
38.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Las Vegas
49.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Las Vegas
11.9%
Las Vegas +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Las Vegas
34.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Las Vegas
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 650,873 | 142,878 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.9% | 14.5% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 49.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 11.9% | 2.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.8% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Las Vegas
$70,723
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Las Vegas
$38,421
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Las Vegas
$62,696
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Las Vegas
7.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Las Vegas
14.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Las Vegas
27.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,723 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,421 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Las Vegas
55.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $426,069 | $505,085 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
460
Las Vegas +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
2417
Las Vegas +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 512 | Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3234 | Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
32.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
12.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Las Vegas
19.5%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
17.0%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Las Vegas
15.6%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.5% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 5.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Las Vegas
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Las Vegas
27.7 min
Las Vegas +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 32.8 min | Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Las Vegas is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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