Newark 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Newark
16.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 142,878 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 14.5% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 46.7% | 2.2% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $76,653 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $505,085 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 512 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 3234 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.4% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, 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
Newark
35.9 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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