Palm Bay FL 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)
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
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
Palm Bay
125,273
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Palm Bay
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Palm Bay
41.3
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Palm Bay
59.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Palm Bay
19.3%
Palm Bay +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Palm Bay
2.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Palm Bay
19.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Palm Bay
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,273 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.3 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.1% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 59.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 19.3% | 2.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 19.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Palm Bay
$67,521
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Palm Bay
$34,474
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Palm Bay
$65,328
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Palm Bay
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Palm Bay
11.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Palm Bay
22.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,521 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,474 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $304,173 | $505,085 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.3% | 73.1% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
36.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.0%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Palm Bay
17.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Palm Bay
14.5%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 17.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Palm Bay
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | 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.)
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Palm Bay
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Palm Bay
29.6 min
Palm Bay +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Palm Bay, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 32.8 min | Palm Bay + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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