Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 70.5% | 63.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 2.2% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 32.2% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $505,085 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 512 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 3234 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 15.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.8 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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