Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 142,878 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 11.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 76.8% | 2.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $505,085 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.2% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.4% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Detroit +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 32.8 min | Detroit + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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