Moreno Valley 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)
Moreno Valley, CA
California · Population: 210,378
- Median HH Income$87,477
- Median Home Price$552,845
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+17.3%
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
Moreno Valley
210,378
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Moreno Valley
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Moreno Valley
32.1
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Moreno Valley
23.9%
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Moreno Valley
22.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Moreno Valley
17.6%
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Moreno Valley
5.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Moreno Valley
59.7%
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Moreno Valley
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 210,378 | 142,878 | Moreno Valley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.3 | Moreno Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 23.9% | 14.5% | Moreno Valley + |
| White | 22.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 17.6% | 2.2% | Moreno Valley + |
| Asian | 5.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 59.7% | 37.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Moreno Valley
$87,477
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Moreno Valley
$28,255
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Moreno Valley
$77,230
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Moreno Valley
7.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Moreno Valley
11.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Moreno Valley
17.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $87,477 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,255 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Moreno Valley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Moreno Valley
$552,845
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Moreno Valley
62.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $552,845 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
503
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Moreno Valley
2388
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Moreno Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Moreno Valley + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
39.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Moreno Valley
19.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
15.6%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
14.6%
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Moreno Valley
12.5%
Moreno Valley +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.4% | Moreno Valley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | Moreno Valley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Moreno Valley
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Moreno Valley, 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.)
Moreno Valley
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Moreno Valley
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Moreno Valley, 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
Moreno Valley
36.9 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Moreno Valley, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.9 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, Moreno Valley 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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