Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Thornton, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 63.2% more expensive than Thornton, CO. This translates to spending an extra $4740 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Thornton, CO, you'd need approximately $206,884.03 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 174.6% more expensive than in Thornton, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,748/month in Thornton, CO.

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

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $4740 more per month than Thornton, CO, or $56884 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Thornton, CO vs Los Angeles, 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 $4.7K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $206.9K in Los Angeles, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 63.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,740

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$56.9K

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

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:

163

(63% above avg)

Median Home:$885K

Thornton, CO

The Centennial State

145K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Thornton, CO vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Thornton, CO	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,822/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $4,927more	174.6%
Transportation	$1,411/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $747more	53.0%
Healthcare	$621/mo	$554/mo	↓ $67.01less	10.8%
All Utilities	$510/mo	$557/mo	↑ $47.33more	9.3%
Groceries	$1,011/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $28.99more	2.9%
Other	$1,713/mo	$1,731/mo	↑ $18.00more	1.1%

Housing

↑ 174.6%

Thornton, CO

$2,822

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$4,927

Transportation

↑ 53.0%

Thornton, CO

$1,411

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$747

Healthcare

↓ 10.8%

Thornton, CO

$621

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$67.01

less

All Utilities

↑ 9.3%

Thornton, CO

$510

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$47.33

Groceries

↑ 2.9%

Thornton, CO

$1,011

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$28.99

Other

↑ 1.1%

Thornton, CO

$1,713

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$18.00

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,378

To$1,910

↑ $532

1 Bed

From$1,469

To$2,135

↑ $666

2 Bed

From$1,748

To$2,660

↑ $912

3 Bed

From$2,289

To$3,370

↑ $1,081

Thornton, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,790–$1,790/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,702

Difference

Home Values

Thornton

Los Angeles

$417K

Median Value

$885K

↓ -3.5%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +19.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$417K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 112% more expensive than Thornton

Calculate payment - Thornton Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

Los Angeles, 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%

Los Angeles, 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.