Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 142,878 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.3 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 85.2% | 63.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 2.2% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $505,085 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Springfield +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Springfield +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 15.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.4% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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