Maple Grove MN 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)
Maple Grove, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$429,240
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Maple Grove
426,845
Maple Grove +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Maple Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Maple Grove
33.0
Maple Grove +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Maple Grove
14.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Maple Grove
61.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Maple Grove
18.3%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Maple Grove
5.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Maple Grove
10.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Maple Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 142,878 | Maple Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Maple Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 61.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 18.3% | 2.2% | Maple Grove + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Maple Grove
$80,269
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Maple Grove
$50,605
Maple Grove +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Maple Grove
$69,467
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Maple Grove
5.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Maple Grove
16.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Maple Grove
54.4%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $41,869 | Maple Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 32.2% | Maple Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Maple Grove
$429,240
Maple Grove +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Maple Grove
48.0%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,240 | $505,085 | Maple Grove + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Maple Grove
284
Maple Grove +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Maple Grove
1992
Maple Grove +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 512 | Maple Grove + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3234 | Maple Grove + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Maple Grove
25.4%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Maple Grove
7.2%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Maple Grove
13.6%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Maple Grove
5.5%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Maple Grove
19.1%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Maple Grove
9.9%
Maple Grove +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 31.8% | Maple Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 8.8% | Maple Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.6% | 17.0% | Maple Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 15.2% | Maple Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 12.6% | Maple Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Maple Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Maple Grove
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Maple Grove
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Maple Grove
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Maple Grove
24.2 min
Maple Grove +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Maple Grove, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 32.8 min | Maple Grove + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while maple Grove offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,240. On public safety, Maple Grove is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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). For overall health outcomes, Maple Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.4%.
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