salaryRent is higher than in 74% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.7 years of household income. Commutes are long, about 30.4 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $85,000 a year. That is $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Colorado cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Colorado. It is number 62 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Thornton?
Share of households by yearly income. 38.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Thornton
| Size | Thornton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,871 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,782 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,094 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,371 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,651 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Thornton overall?
Everyday prices in Colorado overall are 3% above the U.S. average (index 103.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Thornton, so the Colorado figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Thornton
Life in Thornton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Thornton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,466 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $517,500 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $51,750 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Thornton, CO?
Renting in Thornton costs a median of about $2,125 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Thornton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $85,000 a year, or $41 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Thornton cheap or expensive?
Thornton is rated OK: rent takes 22.9% of the typical household income of $111,180. It ranks 62nd cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Thornton?
The median homeowner in Thornton pays $2,911 a year in property taxes, about 0.56% of the median home value.
Is Thornton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in Colorado are 3% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Thornton?
The median home value in Thornton is $517,500, about 4.7 times the typical yearly household income.
144,187 people live in Thornton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.