Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Austin
59.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 142,878 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 14.5% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 7.5% | 2.2% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $41,869 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 32.2% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 31.8% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.8% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.0% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.2% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 32.8 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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