Thornton CO vs Warren MI — 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%
Warren, MI
Michigan · Population: 138,128
- Median HH Income$63,741
- Median Home Price$200,632
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+20.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Warren
138,128
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Warren
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Warren
37.9
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
Warren
13.7%
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Warren
60.8%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Warren
20.9%
Warren +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Warren
11.9%
Warren +
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Warren
2.8%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 138,128 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 13.7% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.5% | 60.8% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 20.9% | Warren + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 11.9% | Warren + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 2.8% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Warren
$63,741
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Warren
$32,162
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Warren
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Warren
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Warren
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
Warren
20.4%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $63,741 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $32,162 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,052 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 7.4% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 12.8% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 20.4% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Warren
$200,632
Warren +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Warren
71.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $200,632 | Warren + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 71.0% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Warren
471
Warren +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Warren
1590
Warren +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 471 | Warren + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1590 | Warren + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Warren
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Warren
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
Warren
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Warren
8.1%
Warren +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Warren
15.7%
Warren +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
Warren
18.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 39.1% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 12.5% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 18.9% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 8.1% | Warren + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.7% | Warren + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 18.0% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Warren
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Warren
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Warren
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Thornton +
Warren
55.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Thornton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Warren
26.9 min
Warren +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Warren, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 26.9 min | Warren + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while warren offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,632. On public safety, Warren is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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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