St. Louis 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. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 142,878 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 45.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 43.1% | 2.2% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 32.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $505,085 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 512 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3234 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.2% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, 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. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
| Metric | St. Louis, 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. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 32.8 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis 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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