Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 142,878 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.3 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 73.0% | 63.5% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 2.2% | Madison + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 5.8% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $41,869 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.6% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 32.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $505,085 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 512 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 3234 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 8.8% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.0% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.2% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.6% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 32.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Madison, WI vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Madison, WIChicago, IL vs Madison, WIHouston, TX vs Madison, WIMadison, WI vs Phoenix, AZMadison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA