St. Charles 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)
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
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
St. Charles
71,542
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Thornton
63.5%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
St. Charles +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 80.4% | 63.5% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 2.2% | St. Charles + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $505,085 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
St. Charles +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
St. Charles +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | St. Charles + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | St. Charles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
35.9%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 15.2% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | 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.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 32.8 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, St. Charles is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 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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