Saint Paul 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)
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
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
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Saint Paul
53.2%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Saint Paul
16.2%
Saint Paul +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Saint Paul
9.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,762 | 142,878 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 34.3 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 18.7% | 14.5% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 53.2% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 16.2% | 2.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Asian | 17.9% | 5.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 9.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Saint Paul
$73,055
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Saint Paul
$41,594
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Saint Paul
$69,467
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Saint Paul
4.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Saint Paul
15.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,055 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,594 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.5% | 32.2% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Saint Paul
53.2%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $297,021 | $505,085 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.2% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 512 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 3234 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 31.8% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.8% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Saint Paul
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Saint Paul
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Saint Paul, 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
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Saint Paul, MN | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 32.8 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 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).
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