Is Palmdale, CA cheaper than Thornton, CO?

Based on cost of living data, Palmdale, CA is 39.1% more expensive than Thornton, CO. This translates to spending an extra $2934 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Thornton, CO, you'd need approximately $185,213.609 in Palmdale, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Palmdale, CA is 110.7% more expensive than in Thornton, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,862/month in Palmdale, CA compared to $1,748/month in Thornton, CO.

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

Living in Palmdale, CA costs approximately $2934 more per month than Thornton, CO, or $35214 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Thornton, CO vs Palmdale, 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 $2.9K/month more in Palmdale, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $185.2K in Palmdale, CA

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

Overall Cost

↑ 39.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,934

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$35.2K

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

Palmdale, CA

Population:161K

Cost Index:

139

(39% above avg)

Median Home:$489K

Thornton, CO

The Centennial State

145K

Population

State Tax

Yes

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

Palmdale, CA

The Golden State

161K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 161K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Thornton, CO vs Palmdale, CA

Category	Thornton, CO	Palmdale, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,822/mo	$5,945/mo	↑ $3,123more	110.7%
Transportation	$1,411/mo	$1,840/mo	↑ $429more	30.4%
Other	$1,713/mo	$1,476/mo	↓ $237less	13.9%
Healthcare	$621/mo	$511/mo	↓ $110less	17.6%
Groceries	$1,011/mo	$960/mo	↓ $50.80less	5.0%
All Utilities	$510/mo	$515/mo	↑ $4.57more	0.9%

Housing

↑ 110.7%

Thornton, CO

$2,822

Palmdale, CA

$5,945

Difference

$3,123

Transportation

↑ 30.4%

Thornton, CO

$1,411

Palmdale, CA

$1,840

Difference

$429

Other

↓ 13.9%

Thornton, CO

$1,713

Palmdale, CA

$1,476

Difference

$237

less

Healthcare

↓ 17.6%

Thornton, CO

$621

Palmdale, CA

$511

Difference

$110

less

Groceries

↓ 5.0%

Thornton, CO

$1,011

Palmdale, CA

$960

Difference

$50.80

less

All Utilities

↑ 0.9%

Thornton, CO

$510

Palmdale, CA

$515

Difference

$4.57

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,378

To$1,333

↓ $45.00

1 Bed

From$1,469

To$1,493

↑ $24.00

2 Bed

From$1,748

To$1,862

↑ $114

3 Bed

From$2,289

To$2,362

↑ $73.00

Thornton, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,790–$1,790/mo

Palmdale, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,060–$2,060/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

$11,247

Monthly in Palmdale, CA

$3,159

Difference

Home Values

Thornton

Palmdale

$417K

Median Value

$489K

↓ -3.5%

YoY Change

↓ -2.1%

↑ +19.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +31.3%

Homes in Palmdale are 17% more expensive than Thornton

Calculate payment - Thornton Calculate payment - Palmdale

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

Palmdale, 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%

Palmdale, 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.