Syracuse NY 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)
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
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
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 142,878 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 51.9% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 27.6% | 2.2% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 5.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Thornton
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $505,085 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.2% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.4% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 min | 32.8 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Syracuse, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Syracuse, NYChicago, IL vs Syracuse, NYHouston, TX vs Syracuse, NYPhoenix, AZ vs Syracuse, NYPhiladelphia, PA vs Syracuse, NY