Portland OR 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)
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
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
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Portland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Portland
38.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Portland
12.4%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Portland
5.8%
Portland +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Portland
11.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Portland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 642,715 | 142,878 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.4% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 70.1% | 63.5% | Portland + |
| Black | 5.8% | 2.2% | Portland + |
| Asian | 8.1% | 5.8% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Portland
$88,792
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Portland
$63,691
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Portland
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Portland
12.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,792 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $55,312 | $41,869 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.5% | 32.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Portland
$538,687
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Portland
52.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $538,687 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
355
Portland +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Portland
3001
Portland +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 512 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 3234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Portland
8.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Portland
18.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Portland
17.7%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.5% | 31.8% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
51.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Portland
78.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 78.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Portland
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Portland, OR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.5 min | 32.8 min | Portland + |
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, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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