High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
High Point
46.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 46.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 32.7% | 2.2% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.8% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 32.2% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $505,085 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.2% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.4% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 32.8 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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