Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 142,878 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 72.9% | 63.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $41,869 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 32.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 31.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 32.8 min | Charleston + |
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, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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