Schenectady 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)
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
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
Schenectady
28,542
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Schenectady
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Schenectady
42.3
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Schenectady
6.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Schenectady
3.1%
Schenectady +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Schenectady
3.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Schenectady
4.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Schenectady
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,542 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 86.7% | 63.5% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 3.1% | 2.2% | Schenectady + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 4.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Schenectady
$100,485
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Schenectady
10.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,485 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $62,931 | $41,869 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.3% | 4.6% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.8% | 32.2% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Schenectady
57.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $321,835 | $505,085 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
38.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
12.3%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Schenectady
19.2%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Schenectady
16.9%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 17.4% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Schenectady
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | 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.)
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Schenectady
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Schenectady, 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
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Schenectady, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 32.8 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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