Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 142,878 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 57.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 25.8% | 2.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 32.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $505,085 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City 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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