Ontario 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)
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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
Ontario
138,723
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ontario
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Ontario
36.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Ontario
53.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Ontario
1.6%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Ontario
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,723 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 14.5% | Ontario + |
| White | 53.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.8% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 40.0% | 37.4% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Ontario
4.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Ontario
9.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $116,945 | $100,985 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,759 | $41,869 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 32.2% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ontario
$671,948
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Ontario
58.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $671,948 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
503
Ontario +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Ontario + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
33.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ontario
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ontario
17.0%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.4% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
65.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ontario
15.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ontario
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Ontario, 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
Ontario
28.2 min
Ontario +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Ontario, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.2 min | 32.8 min | Ontario + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Ontario 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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