Orem UT 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)
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
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
Orem
86,973
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Orem
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Orem
10.5%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Orem
1.9%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Orem
1.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Orem
30.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Orem
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 86,973 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 77.1% | 63.5% | Orem + |
| Black | 1.9% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Orem
$70,053
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Orem
$33,579
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Orem
$60,713
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Orem
12.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Orem
25.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,053 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.6% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Orem
$509,396
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Orem
60.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $509,396 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
245
Orem +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Orem
1931
Orem +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 512 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3234 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Orem
17.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.8% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 8.8% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.2% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 17.4% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 12.6% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
52.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Orem
13.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Orem
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Orem, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 32.8 min | Orem + |
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, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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