Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Thornton
14.5%
White
Casper
N/A
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Casper
N/A
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 142,878 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 63.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 2.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 37.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $100,985 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,869 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $76,653 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.6% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.3% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Casper +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $505,085 | Casper + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 512 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3234 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Casper +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Casper +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.0% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | Casper + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Casper + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Casper offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $308,116. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
Compare More Cities
Casper, WY vs New York, NYCasper, WY vs Los Angeles, CACasper, WY vs Chicago, ILCasper, WY vs Houston, TXCasper, WY vs Phoenix, AZCasper, WY vs Philadelphia, PA