Rochester NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Rochester
41.5%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 142,878 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.3 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 41.5% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 37.5% | 2.2% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $505,085 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.2% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 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, NY | 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
20.6 min
Rochester +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 min | 32.8 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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