Macon GA 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)
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Macon
61,773
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Macon
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Macon
35.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Macon
43.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Macon
30.4%
Macon +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Macon
2.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Macon
19.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Macon
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,773 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 18.3% | 14.5% | Macon + |
| White | 43.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 30.4% | 2.2% | Macon + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 19.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Macon
$70,086
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Macon
$57,405
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Macon
12.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,086 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,074 | $41,869 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.6% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 32.2% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Macon
47.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $171,916 | $505,085 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
392
Macon +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Macon
1752
Macon +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 512 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 3234 | Macon + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Macon
N/A
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Macon
N/A
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Macon, GA | 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
Macon
64.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Macon
45.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Macon
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Macon
30.2 min
Macon +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Macon, GA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 32.8 min | Macon + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³).
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