Cheyenne 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 89.9% | 63.5% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $76,653 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $505,085 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 512 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 3234 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Cheyenne +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 15.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 17.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 32.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne 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%.
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