Is Modesto or Thornton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Modesto is safer than Thornton (Safety Score 18/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 3,070 per 100,000 versus 3,114 for Thornton — 1% lower. Modesto has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Thornton has a 58% lower rate.
Modesto — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Thornton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Modesto, CA
Thornton, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Modesto | Thornton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,070.5 | 3,114.2 | -43.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 655.7 | 278.4 | +377.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.2 | 1.4 | +1.8 |
| Rape Rate | 56.2 | 79.5 | -23.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 113.3 | 49.4 | +63.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 483.1 | 143.3 | +339.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,414.7 | 2,835.9 | -421.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 267.1 | 277.0 | -9.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,818.8 | 2,067.9 | -249.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 328.8 | 490.9 | -162.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modesto or Thornton safer?
Modesto is safer with a total crime rate of 3,070 per 100K vs 3,114 for Thornton — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Modesto has a violent crime rate of 655.7 per 100K while Thornton has 278.4. Thornton has lower violent crime.
About Modesto, CA
Modesto, seat of Stanislaus County, is known for its agricultural roots and as the birthplace of filmmaker George Lucas. Situated in California's Central Valley, it's a diverse city with a significant Hispanic population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 218,990, Modesto has a total crime rate of 3,070.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Thornton, CO
Thornton, a northern Denver suburb, began as a post-WWII housing boom community. It spans parts of Adams and Weld counties, with a diverse, family-oriented population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 145,847, Thornton has a total crime rate of 3,114.2 per 100,000 residents.