Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Durham
44.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 142,878 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 14.5% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 34.4% | 2.2% | Durham + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $41,869 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 32.2% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $505,085 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Durham +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Durham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 15.2% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 32.8 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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