Port St. Lucie 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)
Port St. Lucie, FL
Florida · Population: 220,453
- Median HH Income$78,137
- Median Home Price$327,700
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Port St. Lucie
220,453
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Port St. Lucie
43.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Port St. Lucie
19.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Port St. Lucie
60.0%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Port St. Lucie
19.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Port St. Lucie
2.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Port St. Lucie
23.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,453 | 142,878 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 43.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 19.5% | 14.5% | Port St. Lucie + |
| White | 60.0% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 19.2% | 2.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 23.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Port St. Lucie
$78,137
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Port St. Lucie
$36,352
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Port St. Lucie
$65,328
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Port St. Lucie
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Port St. Lucie
8.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Port St. Lucie
26.8%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,137 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,352 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Port St. Lucie
$327,700
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Port St. Lucie
83.2%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $327,700 | $505,085 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 83.2% | 73.1% | Port St. Lucie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
324
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Port St. Lucie
1453
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Port St. Lucie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Port St. Lucie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
30.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
13.1%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Port St. Lucie
16.6%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
14.5%
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Port St. Lucie
12.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.5% | 31.8% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.0% | Port St. Lucie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.2% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 17.4% | Port St. Lucie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Port St. Lucie
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, 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.)
Port St. Lucie
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Port St. Lucie
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, 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
Port St. Lucie
32.0 min
Port St. Lucie +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Port St. Lucie, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.0 min | 32.8 min | Port St. Lucie + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while port St. Lucie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $327,700. On public safety, Port St. Lucie 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, Port St. Lucie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.5%.
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