Santa Cruz, CA vs Thornton, CO
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Santa Cruz
60.5
#1932 nationally
Thornton
66.7
#1515 nationally
Thornton leads in crime level (7.5 vs 16.8). Santa Cruz leads in walk score (63 vs 32). Thornton leads in cost of living index (130 vs 205).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Santa Cruz, CA | Thornton, CO |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 60.5 (#1932) | 66.7 (#1515) |
| Population | 61,501 | 144,922 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,360,355 | $498,542 |
| Median Household Income | $105,491 | $95,064 |
| Average Commute | 22.2 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 63 | 32 |
| Crime Level | 16.8 | 7.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 205 | 130 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+54.4 | D+9.0 |
D-
60.5 Score
Santa Cruz, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$1,360,355
Population
61,501
Crime
High
Walk Score
63
Pacific
View Santa Cruz, CA →
D
66.7 Score
Thornton, CO
Mid-size Colorado city with community character
Median Home
$498,542
Population
144,922
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
32
West
View Thornton, CO →
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