Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Louisville
63.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 142,878 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 2.2% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 32.2% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $505,085 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 512 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 3234 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 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).
Compare More Cities
Louisville, KY vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Louisville, KYChicago, IL vs Louisville, KYHouston, TX vs Louisville, KYLouisville, KY vs Phoenix, AZLouisville, KY vs Philadelphia, PA