Thornton CO vs West Valley City UT — 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%
West Valley City, UT
Utah · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$473,364
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Thornton
63.5%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Thornton
2.2%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | 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
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
West Valley City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | 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 | $60,713 | Thornton + |
| 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
West Valley City
$473,364
West Valley City +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $473,364 | West Valley City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
West Valley City
1931
West Valley City +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 245 | West Valley City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1931 | West Valley City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
West Valley City
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
West Valley City
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
West Valley City
10.8%
West Valley City +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 33.5% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.6% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 19.5% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 19.8% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | West Valley City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.8% | West Valley City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | 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 +
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
West Valley City
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Valley City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
West Valley City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $473,364. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. 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%.
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