Palmdale 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)
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
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
Palmdale
44,998
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palmdale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Palmdale
57.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Palmdale
5.4%
Palmdale +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Palmdale
4.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Palmdale
24.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Palmdale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,998 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 57.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 17.2% | 14.5% | Palmdale + |
| White | 69.3% | 63.5% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 5.4% | 2.2% | Palmdale + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 24.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palmdale
$71,979
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Palmdale
8.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Palmdale
13.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,979 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,811 | $41,869 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.1% | 32.2% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palmdale
$503,393
Palmdale +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Palmdale
65.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $503,393 | $505,085 | Palmdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
503
Palmdale +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palmdale
2388
Palmdale +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Palmdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Palmdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
12.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palmdale
18.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.7%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palmdale
13.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.8% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.4% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
63.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palmdale
7.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palmdale
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palmdale, 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
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Palmdale, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while palmdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $503,393. On public safety, Palmdale 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, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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