El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Thornton
14.5%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
El Paso +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 142,878 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 14.5% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.2% | El Paso + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 37.4% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $505,085 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
El Paso +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | El Paso + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.4% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 32.8 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, El Paso 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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