Peoria IL 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)
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
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
Peoria
11,626
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Peoria
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Peoria
12.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Peoria
59.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Peoria
4.7%
Peoria +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Peoria
1.6%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Peoria
37.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Peoria
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,626 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 34.3 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 59.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 4.7% | 2.2% | Peoria + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Peoria
$83,102
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Peoria
$33,805
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Peoria
$68,110
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Peoria
4.8%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Peoria
8.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Peoria
27.6%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,102 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,805 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.6% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $132,671 | $505,085 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.5% | 73.1% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
36.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Peoria
13.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Peoria
17.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Peoria
15.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.2% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 17.4% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Peoria
38.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Peoria
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Peoria
34.4 min
Thornton
32.8 min
Thornton +
| Metric | Peoria, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.4 min | 32.8 min | Thornton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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