Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.5% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 2.2% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $505,085 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Independence +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Independence +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Independence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Independence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Independence +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 15.2% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.4% | Independence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Independence +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Independence, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 32.8 min | Independence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Independence is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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