Rancho Cucamonga 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 142,878 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 14.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 8.3% | 2.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 5.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 37.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $100,985 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $41,869 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 32.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 31.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 15.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Rancho Cucamonga is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Rancho Cucamonga scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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