Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Thornton, CO

    Is Thornton a good place to live?

    Watch Thornton

    Thornton ranks #18 of 34 Colorado cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (46/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 0.8% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $482,200
    +8.3% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,810
    per month
    Household income
    $100,985
    median
    Unemployment
    4.6%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Thornton

    The median home value in Thornton is $482,200 and median rent is $1,810 a month, against a median household income of $100,985. Homes cost about 4.8× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Thornton crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Colorado the 2025 rate was 438 violent and 2,235 property crimes per 100,000 people — #2 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Thornton, CO

    Thornton has about 142,878 residents, 4.6% unemployment and 22% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Thornton with

    Thornton vs DenverThornton vs Colorado SpringsThornton vs AuroraThornton vs Fort CollinsThornton vs LakewoodThornton vs ArvadaThornton vs WestminsterThornton vs Pueblo

    More: Where to move in Colorado · Best counties in Colorado

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report