Meridian ID 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)
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
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
Meridian
124,865
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Meridian
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Meridian
37.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Meridian
4.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Meridian
1.6%
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Asian
Meridian
2.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Meridian
9.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Meridian
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,865 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 84.3% | 63.5% | Meridian + |
| Black | 1.6% | 2.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Meridian
$98,686
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Meridian
$57,074
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,686 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,751 | $41,869 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% | 4.6% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.2% | 7.3% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.4% | 32.2% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Meridian
$534,732
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $534,732 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.1% | 73.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Meridian
958
Meridian +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 512 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 3234 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Meridian
17.6%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.8% | 31.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 8.8% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.0% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.6% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Meridian
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Meridian, ID | 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.)
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Meridian
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Meridian, ID | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 32.8 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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