Thornton CO vs Waco TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
Waco
9.8%
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 141,925 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 9.8% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.5% | 54.0% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.0% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 29.9% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $51,468 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $28,819 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $63,758 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 24.0% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 28.6% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 48.9% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 36.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.0% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 20.4% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 20.4% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 15.1% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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