Thornton CO vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Thornton
63.5%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Thornton +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 115,546 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 8.2% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.5% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 2.2% | 1.2% | Thornton + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.7% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 23.7% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Westminster
$76,653
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $96,145 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $76,653 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Thornton +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Westminster
63.7%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $528,447 | Thornton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 63.7% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Westminster
512
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Westminster
3234
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 512 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 3234 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 18.7% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while thornton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $505,085. On public safety, Westminster is safer with a violent crime rate of 512 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Thornton. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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