Grand Rapids MI 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 Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
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 Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Rapids
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Grand Rapids
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,768 | 142,878 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 34.3 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 11.3% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 61.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 17.9% | 2.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 16.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,526 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,953 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.1% | 32.2% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $309,801 | $505,085 | Grand Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
471
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 512 | Grand Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 3234 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.2% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Rapids
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Grand Rapids, MI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while grand Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,801. On public safety, Grand Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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