Is Lancaster, CA cheaper than Thornton, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Lancaster, CA is 35.5% more expensive than Thornton, CO. This translates to spending an extra $2660 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Thornton, CO, you'd need approximately $181,925.271 in Lancaster, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Lancaster, CA is 105.1% more expensive than in Thornton, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,461/month in Lancaster, CA compared to $1,748/month in Thornton, CO.

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

Living in Lancaster, CA costs approximately $2660 more per month than Thornton, CO, or $31925 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Thornton, CO vs Lancaster, 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 $2.7K/month more in Lancaster, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $181.9K in Lancaster, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 35.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,660

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$31.9K

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

Lancaster, CA

Population:166K

Cost Index:

135

(35% above avg)

Median Home:$412K

Thornton, CO

The Centennial State

145K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Lancaster, CA

The Golden State

166K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 166K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Thornton, CO vs Lancaster, CA

Category	Thornton, CO	Lancaster, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,822/mo	$5,789/mo	↑ $2,967more	105.1%
Transportation	$1,411/mo	$1,792/mo	↑ $381more	27.0%
Other	$1,713/mo	$1,437/mo	↓ $276less	16.1%
Healthcare	$621/mo	$505/mo	↓ $116less	18.7%
Groceries	$1,011/mo	$948/mo	↓ $63.50less	6.3%
All Utilities	$510/mo	$508/mo	↓ $2.23less	0.4%

Housing

↑ 105.1%

Thornton, CO

$2,822

Lancaster, CA

$5,789

Difference

$2,967

Transportation

↑ 27.0%

Thornton, CO

$1,411

Lancaster, CA

$1,792

Difference

$381

Other

↓ 16.1%

Thornton, CO

$1,713

Lancaster, CA

$1,437

Difference

$276

less

Healthcare

↓ 18.7%

Thornton, CO

$621

Lancaster, CA

$505

Difference

$116

less

Groceries

↓ 6.3%

Thornton, CO

$1,011

Lancaster, CA

$948

Difference

$63.50

less

All Utilities

↓ 0.4%

Thornton, CO

$510

Lancaster, CA

$508

Difference

$2.23

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,378

To$1,016

↓ $362

1 Bed

From$1,469

To$1,150

↓ $319

2 Bed

From$1,748

To$1,461

↓ $287

3 Bed

From$2,289

To$1,870

↓ $419

Thornton, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,790–$1,790/mo

Lancaster, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$1,630/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

$10,978

Monthly in Lancaster, CA

$2,890

Difference

Home Values

Thornton

Lancaster

$417K

Median Value

$412K

↓ -3.5%

YoY Change

↓ -3.7%

↑ +19.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +29.5%

Homes in Lancaster are 1% less expensive than Thornton

Calculate payment - Thornton Calculate payment - Lancaster

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

Lancaster, 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%

Lancaster, 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.