Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 142,878 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 14.5% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 28.4% | 2.2% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.8% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $41,869 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 32.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $505,085 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.2% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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