2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Tempe, AZ vs Thornton, CO

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Thornton or is it cheaper to live in Tempe?
- Thornton is 7.3% more expensive than Tempe.

Which city has more affordable housing, Thornton or Tempe?
- Thornton housing costs are 16.2% more expensive than Tempe housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Tempe or is Health Care more affordable in Thornton.
- Health related expenses are 8.1% less in Thornton.
 Tempe, AZThornton, COUnited States
 Overall  Unlock121.3100
 Food & Groceries98.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock85.0100
 Housing138.0  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$504,900$338,100
 Utilities101  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock121.4100
 Miscellaneous105.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Tempe    22 Reviews

Tempe is a very unique case of a College Town that has quickly become a Small College City or a Small City. It used to be where there was small pockets of walkability  More

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Tempe is a small city that definitely has nice areas, nice weather, the people are always good, and it is home of ASU. The Tempe town council has done a good job towards  More

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Over 11 years ago

Lived in Arizona 55 yrs Phoenix /Tempe lost my job and got a offer to keep my job but had to move Fall River MA. I will take the heat over days of cold anytime . January  More

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Reviews for Thornton    5 Reviews

Good place. Very suburbany (similar to the Springs). The houses are very small and old and yet still very expensive (albeit cheaper than southern Denver). Actually lots  More

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Over 5 years ago

I like Denver metro, but some cities aren’t too great. Thornton being one of them. Moved here because of highway access, and convenience to DIA for business travel. Am  More

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Over 10 years ago

The quality of life here in not good. The traffic is bad all the time. To try to get to the mountains takes forever! Also most lakes along the front range you can't even  More

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