Olathe KS 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)
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Olathe
143,720
Olathe +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Olathe
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Olathe
36.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Olathe
10.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Olathe
78.6%
Olathe +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Olathe
4.9%
Olathe +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Olathe
4.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Olathe
12.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Olathe
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 142,878 | Olathe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 78.6% | 63.5% | Olathe + |
| Black | 4.9% | 2.2% | Olathe + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Olathe
$112,232
Olathe +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Olathe
$48,655
Olathe +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Olathe
$61,860
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Olathe
49.4%
Olathe +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $100,985 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $41,869 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 4.6% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 7.3% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 32.2% | Olathe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Olathe
$437,785
Olathe +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $437,785 | $505,085 | Olathe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 73.1% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
449
Olathe +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 512 | Olathe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3234 | Olathe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
32.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
9.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Olathe
17.8%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Olathe
11.3%
Olathe +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.0% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 15.2% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 12.6% | Olathe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
55.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
40.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Olathe
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Olathe
22.4 min
Olathe +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 32.8 min | Olathe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe leads in median household income at $112,232, while olathe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $437,785. On public safety, Olathe is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, 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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