Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 34.3 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 74.3% | 63.5% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 2.2% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 5.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 32.2% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $505,085 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Columbia +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Columbia +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 31.8% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.8% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 15.2% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.6% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 32.8 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Columbia, MO vs New York, NYColumbia, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbia, MOColumbia, MO vs Houston, TXColumbia, MO vs Phoenix, AZColumbia, MO vs Philadelphia, PA