Thornton CO vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Torrance
35.2
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Torrance
6.1%
Torrance +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 95,358 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 63.5% | 34.8% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 6.1% | Torrance + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Torrance
7.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.7% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 26.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Torrance
64.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $1,128,110 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 64.0% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Torrance
503
Torrance +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Torrance
2388
Torrance +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Torrance + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Torrance + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Torrance
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.6% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Torrance
14.5 in
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 14.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, 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
Thornton +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 44.9 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Torrance is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 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, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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