Lincoln NE 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)
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
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
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lincoln
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Lincoln
9.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Lincoln
4.2%
Lincoln +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Lincoln
4.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Lincoln
8.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Lincoln
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | 142,878 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.3 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 9.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 80.9% | 63.5% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 4.2% | 2.2% | Lincoln + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 8.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lincoln
$69,991
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Lincoln
$39,187
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lincoln
$66,354
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Lincoln
12.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,991 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,187 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.6% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.9% | 32.2% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Lincoln
55.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,233 | $505,085 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 512 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3234 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
35.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
20.6%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.0% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
51.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lincoln
29.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 29.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lincoln
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Lincoln, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 32.8 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, 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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