Allen 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Allen
55.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 14.5% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 10.6% | 2.2% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 5.8% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $100,985 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $41,869 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 7.3% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 32.2% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Allen +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $505,085 | Allen + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Thornton
17.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 31.8% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.0% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.2% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
30.3 min
Allen +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 32.8 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while allen offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $502,170. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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