Albuquerque NM 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)
Albuquerque, NM
New Mexico · Population: 562,488
- Median HH Income$65,604
- Median Home Price$346,496
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+38.6%
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
Albuquerque
562,488
Albuquerque +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albuquerque
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Albuquerque
38.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Albuquerque
10.4%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Albuquerque
55.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Albuquerque
3.3%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Albuquerque
3.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Albuquerque
47.9%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Albuquerque
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 562,488 | 142,878 | Albuquerque + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.4% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 55.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 3.3% | 2.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 47.9% | 37.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albuquerque
$65,604
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Albuquerque
$39,117
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albuquerque
$53,141
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Albuquerque
5.3%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Albuquerque
16.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albuquerque
38.6%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,604 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,117 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,141 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.6% | 32.2% | Albuquerque + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albuquerque
$346,496
Albuquerque +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Albuquerque
61.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $346,496 | $505,085 | Albuquerque + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
834
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
3177
Albuquerque +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 834 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3177 | 3234 | Albuquerque + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
32.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
11.3%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albuquerque
16.2%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.4%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
14.0%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albuquerque
12.2%
Albuquerque +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Albuquerque + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 15.2% | Albuquerque + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 17.4% | Albuquerque + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Albuquerque + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
55.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albuquerque
16.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albuquerque
6.1 µg/m³
Albuquerque +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albuquerque
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Albuquerque + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albuquerque
23.7 min
Albuquerque +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.8 min | Albuquerque + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while albuquerque offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $346,496. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Albuquerque. Thornton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Albuquerque has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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