Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 142,878 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 58.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 13.4% | 2.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 32.2% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $505,085 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 512 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 3234 | Oklahoma City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | 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
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 32.8 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 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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