Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
Manchester +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 14.5% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 63.5% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 2.2% | Manchester + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $41,869 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.2% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $505,085 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 512 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 3234 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.2% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 32.8 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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