Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Thornton
34.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Houston
35.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 142,878 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 14.5% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 22.9% | 2.2% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 37.4% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 32.2% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $505,085 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 32.8 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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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