Is Fullerton, CA cheaper than Thornton, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Fullerton, CA is 42.5% more expensive than Thornton, CO. This translates to spending an extra $3188 per month.

What salary do I need in Fullerton, CA to live like I do in Thornton, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Thornton, CO, you'd need approximately $188,255.516 in Fullerton, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Thornton, CO and Fullerton, CA?

Housing in Fullerton, CA is 88.1% more expensive than in Thornton, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,213/month in Fullerton, CA compared to $1,748/month in Thornton, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Thornton, CO to Fullerton, CA?

Living in Fullerton, CA costs approximately $3188 more per month than Thornton, CO, or $38256 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Thornton, CO vs Fullerton, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Thornton, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.2K/month more in Fullerton, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $188.3K in Fullerton, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area

Overall Cost

↑ 42.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,188

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$38.3K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Thornton, CO

Population:145K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$417K

Fullerton, CA

Population:139K

Cost Index:

143

(43% above avg)

Median Home:$833K

Thornton, CO

The Centennial State

145K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 145K residents.

Fullerton, CA

The Golden State

139K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 139K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Thornton, CO vs Fullerton, CA

Category	Thornton, CO	Fullerton, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,822/mo	$5,309/mo	↑ $2,487more	88.1%
Transportation	$1,411/mo	$2,121/mo	↑ $710more	50.3%
Healthcare	$621/mo	$547/mo	↓ $74.31less	12.0%
All Utilities	$510/mo	$552/mo	↑ $42.46more	8.3%
Groceries	$1,011/mo	$1,030/mo	↑ $18.92more	1.9%
Other	$1,713/mo	$1,694/mo	↓ $18.68less	1.1%

Housing

↑ 88.1%

Thornton, CO

$2,822

Fullerton, CA

$5,309

Difference

$2,487

Transportation

↑ 50.3%

Thornton, CO

$1,411

Fullerton, CA

$2,121

Difference

$710

Healthcare

↓ 12.0%

Thornton, CO

$621

Fullerton, CA

$547

Difference

$74.31

less

All Utilities

↑ 8.3%

Thornton, CO

$510

Fullerton, CA

$552

Difference

$42.46

Groceries

↑ 1.9%

Thornton, CO

$1,011

Fullerton, CA

$1,030

Difference

$18.92

Other

↓ 1.1%

Thornton, CO

$1,713

Fullerton, CA

$1,694

Difference

$18.68

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,378

To$1,462

↑ $84.00

1 Bed

From$1,469

To$1,712

↑ $243

2 Bed

From$1,748

To$2,213

↑ $465

3 Bed

From$2,289

To$3,174

↑ $885

Thornton, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,790–$1,790/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,088

Monthly in Thornton, CO

$11,253

Monthly in Fullerton, CA

$3,165

Difference

Home Values

Thornton

Fullerton

$417K

Median Value

↓ -3.5%

YoY Change

↑ +19.7%

5-Year Change

Calculate payment - Thornton

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$336

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

Thornton, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Fullerton, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Thornton, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

Fullerton, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.