Brownsville 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 142,878 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 34.3 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 14.5% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 0.3% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 37.4% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $505,085 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Brownsville +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Brownsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Brownsville +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.0% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Brownsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Brownsville, 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
Brownsville
22.2 min
Brownsville +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 32.8 min | Brownsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Brownsville 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%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA