New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Thornton
14.5%
White
New York
35.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 142,878 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 14.5% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 22.7% | 2.2% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 5.8% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $41,869 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 32.2% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 31.8% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.0% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.2% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | 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
New York
44.2 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | New York, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
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, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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