Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Allentown +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 14.5% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 13.0% | 2.2% | Allentown + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 37.4% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Allentown +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $505,085 | Allentown + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 3234 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Allentown +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 32.8 min | Allentown + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while allentown offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $312,103. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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