Rochester MN 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)
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
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
Rochester
26,509
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
38.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Rochester
7.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Rochester
3.6%
Rochester +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Rochester
5.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Rochester
3.9%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,509 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 82.9% | 63.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 3.6% | 2.2% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 3.9% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$69,467
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Thornton
7.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $127,247 | $100,985 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,602 | $41,869 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.6% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 2.9% | 7.3% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.3% | 32.2% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
Thornton
73.1%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,633 | $505,085 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.6% | 73.1% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 512 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3234 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
36.4%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
9.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.4% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 17.0% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.2% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 17.4% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.0 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
28.3 min
Rochester +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Rochester, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.8 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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