Thornton CO vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Thornton
2.2%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 119,508 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.2 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 63.5% | 44.0% | Thornton + |
| Black | 2.2% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.5% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 24.6% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $69,261 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $65,328 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.4% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 14.8% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 50.2% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.7% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.9% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.0% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach 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, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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