Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 142,878 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.3 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 14.5% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.2% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 37.4% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $41,869 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 32.2% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $505,085 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Thornton
17.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 17.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.8 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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