Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 142,878 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.5% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 12.4% | 2.2% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 5.8% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $41,869 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 32.2% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $505,085 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Sacramento +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Sacramento +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Sacramento + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Sacramento + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 31.8% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.2% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.4% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 32.8 min | Sacramento + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Sacramento 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, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Sacramento, CALos Angeles, CA vs Sacramento, CAChicago, IL vs Sacramento, CAHouston, TX vs Sacramento, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Sacramento, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Sacramento, CA