Thornton CO vs Thousand Oaks CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 63.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Thousand Oaks +
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $1,053,424 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Thousand Oaks
503
Thousand Oaks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Thousand Oaks
2388
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Thousand Oaks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Thousand Oaks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Thousand Oaks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.1% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Thousand Oaks is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
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