Charleston WV 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, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
47,918
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 76.6% | 63.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $41,869 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 32.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $505,085 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 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, WV | 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
40.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 32.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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