Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 142,878 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 14.5% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 7.8% | 2.2% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 37.4% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 32.2% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $505,085 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 32.8 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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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