Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 142,878 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 14.5% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| White | 51.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 28.8% | 2.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $41,869 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 32.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 31.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.2% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.4% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 32.8 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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, Fort Lauderdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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