Gainesville 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)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Gainesville
143,611
Gainesville +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 142,878 | Gainesville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 34.3 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 21.6% | 2.2% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 5.8% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 32.2% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $505,085 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Gainesville +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 31.8% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.8% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.2% | Gainesville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Gainesville, 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
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 32.8 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville 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, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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