Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Garland
37.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 142,878 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 14.5% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 15.3% | 2.2% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 5.8% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 37.4% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Garland +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $505,085 | Garland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Garland +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Garland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.4% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Garland +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Garland, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 32.8 min | Garland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while garland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,605. On public safety, Garland 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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