Lafayette LA 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)
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
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
Lafayette
121,537
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lafayette
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Lafayette
37.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Lafayette
6.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Lafayette
59.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Lafayette
2.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Lafayette
7.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Lafayette
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,537 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 59.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 28.6% | 2.2% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lafayette
$61,454
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Lafayette
$39,861
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lafayette
$55,297
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Lafayette
5.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Lafayette
19.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,454 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,861 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.6% | 32.2% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Lafayette
55.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $225,222 | $505,085 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
643
Thornton
512
Thornton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lafayette
2824
Lafayette +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 512 | Thornton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 3234 | Lafayette + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
34.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
14.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lafayette
18.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
17.8%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lafayette
16.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 15.2% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
67.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lafayette
61.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lafayette
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Lafayette, LA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.5 min | 32.8 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. 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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