Cedar Rapids IA 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)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 79.7% | 63.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 2.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 32.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $505,085 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 15.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.8 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, 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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