Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
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
Pasadena
67,231
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
42.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Pasadena
48.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Pasadena
2.2%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
7.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,231 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 14.5% | Pasadena + |
| White | 48.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 36.1% | 5.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 7.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $220,408 | $100,985 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $121,565 | $41,869 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% | 4.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.4% | 7.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 82.4% | 32.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
54.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,215,642 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
503
Pasadena +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2388
Pasadena +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
10.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 31.8% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
67.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
21.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 21.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
24.8 min
Pasadena +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Pasadena, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 32.8 min | Pasadena + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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