Thornton CO vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Vallejo
5.3%
Vallejo +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Vallejo
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 68,141 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.1 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 63.5% | 17.9% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 5.3% | Vallejo + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 19.3% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Vallejo
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.0% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Vallejo
67.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $523,551 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 67.0% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Vallejo
503
Vallejo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Vallejo
2388
Vallejo +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Vallejo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Vallejo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Vallejo
16.9%
Vallejo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.3% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.9% | Vallejo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | 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.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, 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 +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 36.0 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Vallejo 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, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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