Omaha NE 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)
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
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
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Omaha
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Omaha
35.3
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Omaha
10.9%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Omaha
4.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Omaha
15.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Omaha
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 488,197 | 142,878 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 68.8% | 63.5% | Omaha + |
| Black | 11.8% | 2.2% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 15.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Omaha
$72,708
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Omaha
$66,354
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Omaha
12.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,708 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,515 | $41,869 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.6% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.3% | 32.2% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Omaha
57.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,017 | $505,085 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 512 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 3234 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
37.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Omaha
10.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Omaha
12.0%
Omaha +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Omaha
20.0%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Omaha
14.2%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.2% | 17.0% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
51.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Omaha
30.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Omaha
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Omaha, NE | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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