Centennial CO 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)
Centennial, CO
Colorado · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$650,791
- 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
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
14.5%
White
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Thornton
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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 | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| 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
Centennial
$650,791
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $650,791 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 73.1% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Thornton
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Thornton
3234
Tie
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 31.8% | Centennial + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 8.8% | Centennial + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 17.0% | Centennial + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 15.2% | Centennial + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 12.6% | Centennial + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Centennial, CO | 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
Centennial
N/A
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Centennial. Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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