Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Thornton
142,878
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Thornton
34.3
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 142,878 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 34.3 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 50.7% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 35.7% | 2.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Thornton
32.2%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 32.2% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $505,085 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 512 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 3234 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Thornton
12.6%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.4% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 12.6% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 32.8 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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