Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 142,878 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 81.8% | 63.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $100,985 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $41,869 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 32.2% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Scottsdale +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Scottsdale +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Scottsdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Scottsdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 31.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 17.0% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 15.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 12.6% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 32.8 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Scottsdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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