Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 142,878 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 27.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 60.0% | 2.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 32.2% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $505,085 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 512 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 3234 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.2% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Baltimore +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 32.8 min | Baltimore + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 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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