Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 142,878 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 53.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 27.5% | 2.2% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $41,869 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 32.2% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $505,085 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 31.8% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.0% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.2% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.4% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 32.8 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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