Round Rock TX 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)
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Round Rock
124,288
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Round Rock
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Round Rock
36.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Round Rock
58.3%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Round Rock
11.2%
Round Rock +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Round Rock
29.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Round Rock
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 15.5% | 14.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 58.3% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 11.2% | 2.2% | Round Rock + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 5.8% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 29.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Round Rock
$97,187
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Round Rock
$63,758
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Round Rock
7.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $97,187 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,829 | $41,869 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 32.2% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Round Rock
$411,570
Round Rock +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Round Rock
56.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,570 | $505,085 | Round Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
442
Round Rock +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Round Rock
2339
Round Rock +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Round Rock + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Round Rock + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
34.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
9.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 17.0% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.2% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 17.4% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Round Rock
35.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Round Rock
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Round Rock, TX | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while round Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,570. On public safety, Round Rock is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, 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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