Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Des Moines +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 142,878 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 66.9% | 63.5% | Des Moines + |
| Black | 12.0% | 2.2% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Des Moines +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $505,085 | Des Moines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 512 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 3234 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Des Moines +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Des Moines + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while des Moines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,703. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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