Thornton CO vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.4 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 9.1% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.5% | 61.6% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 8.9% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $90,685 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $69,581 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 8.4% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
64.9%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 64.9% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 36.5% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Thornton, COLos Angeles, CA vs Thornton, COChicago, IL vs Thornton, COHouston, TX vs Thornton, COPhoenix, AZ vs Thornton, COPhiladelphia, PA vs Thornton, CO