Overland Park 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)
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- 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
Overland Park
143,720
Overland Park +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Overland Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Overland Park
36.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Overland Park
10.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Overland Park
4.9%
Overland Park +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Overland Park
4.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Overland Park
12.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Overland Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 142,878 | Overland Park + |
| 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% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 4.9% | 2.2% | Overland Park + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Overland Park
$48,655
Overland Park +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Overland Park
$61,860
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Overland Park
49.4%
Overland Park +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $100,985 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $41,869 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 4.6% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 7.3% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 32.2% | Overland Park + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Overland Park
$487,466
Overland Park +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,466 | $505,085 | Overland Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 73.1% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
449
Overland Park +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Overland Park
2174
Overland Park +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 512 | Overland Park + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3234 | Overland Park + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
30.0%
Overland Park +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 31.8% | Overland Park + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.8% | 17.0% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.2% | 15.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.4% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Overland Park
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Overland Park
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Overland Park, 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
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Overland Park, KS | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 32.8 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while overland Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,466. On public safety, Overland Park is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Overland Park scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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