Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Denver
62.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 142,878 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 62.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 8.8% | 2.2% | Denver + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Thornton
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $41,869 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 32.2% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Thornton
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Thornton
3234
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 31.8% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.0% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 15.2% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.6% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 32.8 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. 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, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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