Burlington VT 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)
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
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
Burlington
44,649
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Burlington
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Burlington
7.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Burlington
3.7%
Burlington +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Burlington
3.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Burlington
3.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Burlington
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 44,649 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.7 | 34.3 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 85.8% | 63.5% | Burlington + |
| Black | 3.7% | 2.2% | Burlington + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 3.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Burlington
$68,854
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Burlington
$39,027
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Burlington
$63,829
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Burlington
4.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Burlington
23.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,854 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,027 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,829 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.5% | 32.2% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Burlington
$510,361
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Burlington
39.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,361 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 224 | 512 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1714 | 3234 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Burlington
20.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Burlington
19.1%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.8% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 8.8% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 15.2% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
46.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Burlington
36.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Burlington
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Burlington, VT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 32.8 min | Burlington + |
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, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 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, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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