Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Thornton, CO
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Vancouver leads 12 of 23 categories
Thornton
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$95,064 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
141,799
Vancouver
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,626
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Thornton, CO
Pros
53% less violent crime than Vancouver
Households earn $21,438 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.6%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,758/mo
Property crime (2835.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $445,200
Longer commutes — 30.9 min average each way
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Rent averages $233/mo less ($1,525 vs $1,758)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Homes cost $42k less ($403,400 vs $445,200)
Cooler summers — July highs near 81°F vs 91°F
Cons
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Thornton by $21,438/yr
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Thornton
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 105.5 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Thornton
Median Income
$21,438
$95,064 vs $73,626/yr
Thornton
Violent Crime
53% lower
273.6 vs 582.3 per 100k
Thornton
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.6% vs 5.6% unemployment
Thornton
Summer Heat
10.2°F warmer
July avg high 91.1°F vs 80.9°F
Vancouver
Median Home Value
$42k less
$403,400 vs $445,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $445,200⚠ High | $403,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,758⚠ High | $1,525⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,064 ✓ Higher | $73,626 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 23.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.5% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 97 ✓ Safer | 157⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 153⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.3:1 | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.7% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.0°F ✓ Warmer | 47.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.1°F ✓ Warmer | 80.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.7" ✓ Drier | 44.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 44.8" | 4.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 141,799 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.7% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| Under 18 | 26.6% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.1% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Thornton's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Thornton is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 12 of 23 categories. Thornton wins 11 and Vancouver wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Thornton to Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($445,200 vs $403,400 median home), income ($95,064 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Thornton, CO and Vancouver, WA are about 976 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.