Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 34.3 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 78.6% | 63.5% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 32.2% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $505,085 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 512 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 3234 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 31.8% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.8% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.2% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.4% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.6% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 32.8 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 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, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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