Stamford CT 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)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Stamford
135,806
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Thornton
14.5%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 14.5% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 19.9% | 2.2% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.8% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Thornton
$100,985
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $100,985 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $41,869 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $76,653 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 32.2% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $505,085 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 512 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 3234 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Thornton
31.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Thornton
8.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Thornton
17.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 8.8% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.0% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 15.2% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.6% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 32.8 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 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, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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