Thornton CO vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Thornton
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Thornton
63.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Thornton
2.2%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Thornton
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,878 | 118,578 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 5.7% | Thornton + |
| White | 63.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 2.2% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.3% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 37.4% | 8.9% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Thornton
$41,869
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Thornton
4.6%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Thornton
32.2%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $100,985 | $63,900 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,869 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.6% | Thornton + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 16.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.2% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Thornton
$505,085
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $505,085 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 46.8% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
512
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Thornton
3234
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Thornton
15.2%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Thornton
17.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.8% | 42.7% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 13.1% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.0% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.4% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Thornton
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Thornton
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Thornton
32.8 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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