Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 142,878 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 36.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 46.8% | 2.2% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $505,085 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 512 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 3234 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Cleveland +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.2% | Cleveland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.4% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Cleveland +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 32.8 min | Cleveland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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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