Richmond 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)
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Richmond
115,396
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
37.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Richmond
21.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 34.5% | 14.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 21.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 17.3% | 2.2% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 13.1% | 5.8% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 46.9% | 37.4% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$90,038
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
7.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
13.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,898 | $41,869 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 32.2% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$608,357
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
52.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $608,357 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
503
Richmond +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
2388
Richmond +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
32.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
24.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 24.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, 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
Richmond
37.7 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Richmond, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 37.7 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
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, Richmond 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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