Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Thornton
5.8%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 142,878 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 59.4% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 10.5% | 2.2% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 5.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Thornton
$41,869
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $41,869 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 32.2% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $505,085 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Thornton
3234
Thornton +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 512 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 3234 | Thornton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 15.2% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 17.4% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 32.8 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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 Tacoma, WALos Angeles, CA vs Tacoma, WAChicago, IL vs Tacoma, WAHouston, TX vs Tacoma, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Tacoma, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Tacoma, WA