Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Boston
47.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 142,878 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.3 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 14.5% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 21.5% | 2.2% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 5.8% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $41,869 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,653 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 32.2% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 512 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3234 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 31.8% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.8% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 15.2% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 12.6% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
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, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Boston, MA vs New York, NYBoston, MA vs Los Angeles, CABoston, MA vs Chicago, ILBoston, MA vs Houston, TXBoston, MA vs Phoenix, AZBoston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA