North 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)
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
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
North Las Vegas
186,178
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Las Vegas
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
North Las Vegas
39.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
14.5%
White
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
North Las Vegas
11.3%
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
North Las Vegas
34.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
North Las Vegas
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,178 | 142,878 | North Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 26.0% | 14.5% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 43.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 11.3% | 2.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 5.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Las Vegas
$58,874
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
North Las Vegas
$35,069
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
North Las Vegas
16.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Las Vegas
23.9%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,874 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,069 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.9% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Las Vegas
$407,146
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
North Las Vegas
41.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $407,146 | $505,085 | North Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
460
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
2417
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 512 | North Las Vegas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3234 | North Las Vegas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
33.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
12.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Las Vegas
20.7%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Las Vegas
16.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 4.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
North Las Vegas +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | North Las Vegas, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 32.8 min | North Las Vegas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while north Las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $407,146. On public safety, North 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 North 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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