Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Irving
36.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 142,878 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.3 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 14.5% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 12.9% | 2.2% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 5.8% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 37.4% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 32.2% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $505,085 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Irving +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Irving, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Irving +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 31.8% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.0% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 17.4% | Irving + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Irving, 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.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Irving, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 32.8 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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