San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Thornton
14.5%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 142,878 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 14.5% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 37.4% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
San Bernardino +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $505,085 | San Bernardino + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
San Bernardino +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | San Bernardino + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
37.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.4% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
30.7 min
San Bernardino +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 32.8 min | San Bernardino + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while san Bernardino offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $492,059. On public safety, San Bernardino 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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