Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Spokane +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 142,878 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 81.0% | 63.5% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 2.2% | Spokane + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 32.2% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $505,085 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Thornton
3234
Thornton +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Thornton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 32.8 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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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