Albany NY 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)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
Albany
100,081
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Albany
53.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 14.5% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 26.6% | 2.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 5.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 32.2% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Albany +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $505,085 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 15.2% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 12.6% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,670. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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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