Grand Prairie 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)
Grand Prairie, TX
Texas · Population: 198,564
- Median HH Income$78,889
- Median Home Price$318,759
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Grand Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 142,878 | Grand Prairie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.3 | Grand Prairie + |
| Foreign Born | 23.7% | 14.5% | Grand Prairie + |
| White | 32.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 24.6% | 2.2% | Grand Prairie + |
| Asian | 6.5% | 5.8% | Grand Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 37.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,889 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,348 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $318,759 | $505,085 | Grand Prairie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Grand Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Grand Prairie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.3% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.4% | Grand Prairie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Prairie, 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
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
Grand Prairie +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Grand Prairie, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.5 min | 32.8 min | Grand Prairie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while grand Prairie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,759. On public safety, Grand Prairie 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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