Surprise 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)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
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
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 142,878 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 75.0% | 63.5% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 2.2% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $505,085 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 73.1% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 31.8% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 17.0% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.2% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.6% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | 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.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, 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
Surprise
32.8 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 32.8 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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