Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 142,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 49.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 38.7% | 2.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 32.2% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $505,085 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 32.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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