Pasadena TX 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
125,983
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 14.5% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 18.1% | 2.2% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 5.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $100,985 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $41,869 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.6% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 7.3% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 32.2% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $505,085 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 73.1% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 17.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pasadena
36.1 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, 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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