Johnson City TN 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)
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
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
Johnson City
71,455
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Johnson City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Johnson City
35.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Johnson City
4.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Johnson City
84.0%
Johnson City +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Johnson City
6.3%
Johnson City +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Johnson City
2.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Johnson City
5.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Johnson City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,455 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 84.0% | 63.5% | Johnson City + |
| Black | 6.3% | 2.2% | Johnson City + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Johnson City
$55,429
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Johnson City
$36,451
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Johnson City
$59,097
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Johnson City
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Johnson City
21.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,429 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,451 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.8% | 32.2% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Johnson City
$294,254
Johnson City +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Johnson City
49.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $294,254 | $505,085 | Johnson City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
639
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Johnson City
2350
Johnson City +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3234 | Johnson City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
36.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
12.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Johnson City
21.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
11.9%
Johnson City +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
15.3%
Johnson City +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Johnson City
17.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 15.2% | Johnson City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Johnson City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | 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.)
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Johnson City
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Johnson City
20.3 min
Johnson City +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Johnson City, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 32.8 min | Johnson City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while johnson City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $294,254. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. 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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