Sparks NV 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)
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
14.5%
White
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 142,878 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 37.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sparks
$62,696
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $100,985 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,869 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sparks
$530,668
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $530,668 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 512 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 3234 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sparks
9.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sparks
18.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sparks
18.7%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sparks
12.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 31.8% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.2% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
52.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sparks
8.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sparks
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sparks
N/A
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Sparks, NV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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