Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 142,878 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 14.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 20.4% | 2.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $505,085 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 512 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3234 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 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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