Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Athens
57.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.3 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 57.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 26.2% | 2.2% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.2% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $505,085 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Athens, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | 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
Athens
62.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Athens, GA | 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
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 32.8 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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