Roanoke VA 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)
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Roanoke
98,677
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Roanoke
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Roanoke
38.0
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Roanoke
7.5%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Roanoke
57.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Roanoke
3.1%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Roanoke
8.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Roanoke
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,677 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.5% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 57.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 29.0% | 2.2% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Roanoke
$52,671
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Roanoke
$34,792
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Roanoke
$69,581
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Roanoke
5.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Roanoke
19.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Roanoke
28.9%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,671 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,792 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Roanoke
51.7%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $279,668 | $505,085 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 512 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 3234 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
41.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Roanoke
18.4%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Roanoke
16.7%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.4% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.2% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.4% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
56.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Roanoke
44.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Roanoke
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Roanoke, VA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.8 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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%.
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