San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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 Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Thornton
14.5%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 142,878 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 14.5% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 2.2% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 5.8% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $100,985 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $41,869 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 32.2% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 31.8% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.0% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 15.2% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.4% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 12.6% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, 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 Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 32.8 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, San Diego 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, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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