Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 142,878 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 14.5% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 22.4% | 2.2% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.8% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 32.2% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $505,085 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 32.8 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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