Renton WA 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)
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
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
Renton
75,721
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Renton
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Renton
35.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Renton
48.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Renton
2.2%
Thornton
2.2%
Tie
Asian
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Renton
6.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Renton
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 75,721 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 44.4% | 14.5% | Renton + |
| White | 48.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 2.2% | Tie |
| Asian | 39.2% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 6.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Renton
$76,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $162,099 | $100,985 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $89,026 | $41,869 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.6% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.8% | 7.3% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 74.7% | 32.2% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Renton
$765,686
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Renton
45.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,686 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
383
Renton +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Renton
3409
Thornton
3234
Thornton +
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Thornton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 31.8% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 8.8% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 15.2% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 17.4% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 12.6% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
53.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Renton
40.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Renton
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Renton, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 32.8 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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