Santa Ana 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)
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
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
Santa Ana
91,535
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 14.5% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 63.5% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 4.9% | 2.2% | Santa Ana + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 5.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $100,985 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $41,869 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 32.2% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Santa Ana +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Santa Ana + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 31.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 17.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 32.8 min | Santa Ana + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Santa Ana 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, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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