Knoxville 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)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
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
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 142,878 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 72.2% | 63.5% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 2.2% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 32.2% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $505,085 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 3234 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.2% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.4% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, 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
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.8 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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