Springfield MA 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
154,751
Springfield +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Thornton
37.4%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 142,878 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 34.3 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 40.8% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 20.0% | 2.2% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 37.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $76,653 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $505,085 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 512 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 3234 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 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 $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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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