Montgomery AL 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)
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- 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
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Montgomery
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Montgomery
36.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Montgomery
5.5%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Montgomery
27.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Montgomery
3.3%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Montgomery
4.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Montgomery
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,440 | 142,878 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.5% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 27.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 63.0% | 2.2% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 3.3% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 4.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Montgomery
$55,687
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Montgomery
$32,068
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Montgomery
$51,690
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Montgomery
6.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Montgomery
20.9%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,687 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,068 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.2% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Montgomery
54.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $151,721 | $505,085 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
46.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
16.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Montgomery
17.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Montgomery
15.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.2% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 17.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
64.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Montgomery
52.8 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Montgomery
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Montgomery, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.8 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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