Abilene TX vs Thornton CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Abilene +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 66.6% | 63.5% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 2.2% | Abilene + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $505,085 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 32.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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