How much does it cost to rent in Thornton, CO?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Thornton, CO is $1,910. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Thornton cheaper than other Colorado cities?

Thornton is among the more affordable cities in Colorado, ranking #45 out of 66 cities at $1,910/mo.

When was Thornton rent data last updated?

Thornton rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CO

Thornton

Name: Average Rent Prices in Thornton, CO
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 144,187·45th most expensive in Colorado·Rental market data updated monthly for Thornton, CO

Median rent (all units)

$1,910/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.1%

Month-over-Month

+0.6%

vs US Median

-$55

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Thornton · $1,910

More expensive than 53% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

71/100

Good value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 11% below what Thornton's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,910/mo

Expected by trend

$2,139/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Thornton's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,878

1 BR

$2,048

2 BR

$2,453

3 BR

$3,203

4 BR+

$3,583

Research median

$2,453/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$22,920/yr

At $1,910/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.1% YoY, +0.6% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Thornton, CO is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 32.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

144,187

Median income

$103,088

Median age

34.7

Renters

28.6%

Age distribution

25%

25.5%

28.6%

Under 1825%

18–3425.5%

35–5428.6%

55–6410.1%

65+10.8%

Gender

50%

Male50%

Female50%

Race & ethnicity

58.8%

37.7%

White58.8%

Black2.4%

Hispanic37.7%

Asian5.3%

Education (25+)

12.1%

25.7%

29.4%

32.8%

No HS diploma12.1%

HS diploma25.7%

Some college29.4%

Bachelor's+32.8%

Housing tenure

71.4%

28.6%

Owner71.4%

Renter28.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Thornton, CO has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,598 → $1,910

up 19.5%

Income

$86,818 → $103,088

up 18.7%

Population

140,538 → 144,187

up 2.6%

Renter share

27.4% → 28.6%

+1.2 pts

Bachelor's+

29.4% → 32.8%

+3.4 pts

Median age

33.7 → 34.7

+1.0 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Thornton, CO paid around $1,598 a month. That figure now sits near $1,910, up 19.5% from the 2021 baseline. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $86,818 in 2021 to $103,088 more recently. Census counts show Thornton, CO adding about 3,649 residents over the five-year window, up 2.6% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 29.4% to 32.8% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Thornton, CO market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Thornton

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View Thornton rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Thornton on your salary?

At $1,910/mo, how Thornton rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $99,204/yr · Rent = 23.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $70,434/yr · Rent = 32.5% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $81,134/yr · Rent = 28.2% income

affordable

Software Developer

Avg $145,016/yr · Rent = 15.8% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $185,294/yr · Rent = 12.4% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $65,951/yr · Rent = 34.8% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $59,546/yr · Rent = 38.5% income

stretched

Electrician

Avg $73,395/yr · Rent = 31.2% income

stretched

By apartment size

Thornton rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Thornton. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Thornton

About renting in Thornton, CO

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Thornton is $1,910/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,878/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,453/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,048/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,203/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($103,088/yr), Thornton ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Thornton an affordable city for renters?

Thornton is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,910/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($103,088/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Thornton falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Thornton?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $76,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,910/mo in Thornton. The local median household income is $103,088/yr, meaning the typical Thornton household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Thornton?

Rent in Thornton has increased 1.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Thornton neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Thornton are 80229 ($1,697/mo), 80233 ($1,739/mo), and 80241 ($2,024/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Thornton is $1,910/mo.

How does Thornton rent compare to other cities in Colorado?

Thornton is one of the more affordable cities in Colorado for rent, ranking #45 out of 66 tracked cities at $1,910/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Thornton?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Thornton ($1,910/mo): Northglenn ($1,533/mo), Federal Heights ($1,576/mo), Westminster ($1,879/mo).

What percentage of Thornton residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 28.6% of Thornton households are renters, while 71.4% are owner-occupied. Thornton leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Thornton rent compare to the national average?

Thornton's median rent of $1,910/mo is $55 (3%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Colorado, it ranks #45 out of 66 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

22%

VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,910/mo, rent takes ~22% of Thornton's median household income ($103,088/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Thornton 22%Benchmark 30%

State income tax4.4%

Run the Thornton affordability calculator →

Nearby cities