Tempe 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Tempe
60.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 142,878 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 34.3 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 60.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 7.8% | 2.2% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 5.8% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $41,869 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 32.2% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $505,085 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 512 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3234 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 31.8% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.8% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.0% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.2% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.6% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, 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
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 32.8 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 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, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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