Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Fayetteville +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 34.3 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 75.6% | 63.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 2.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 32.2% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $505,085 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Fayetteville +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 3234 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Fayetteville +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 8.8% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.2% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 32.8 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. 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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