Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Pueblo +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Pueblo +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 70.3% | 63.5% | Pueblo + |
| Black | 2.7% | 2.2% | Pueblo + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 37.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Thornton
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $505,085 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Thornton
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Thornton
3234
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Thornton is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. 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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