Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Providence
40.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 142,878 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.3 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 14.5% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 13.3% | 2.2% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 5.8% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 37.4% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 32.2% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $505,085 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 512 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 3234 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 12.6% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Providence +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Providence, RI | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 32.8 min | Providence + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Providence, RILos Angeles, CA vs Providence, RIChicago, IL vs Providence, RIHouston, TX vs Providence, RIPhoenix, AZ vs Providence, RIPhiladelphia, PA vs Providence, RI