Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Thornton, CO
VS
Waco, TX
🏆 Waco leads 12 of 23 categories
Thornton
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,064 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
141,799 ✓ Larger
Waco
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.8 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,421
Violent Crime Index
112⚠ High
Population
140,545
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Thornton, CO
Pros
Households earn $47,643 more per year on average
36% less violent crime than Waco
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $445,200
Higher rents — median is $1,758/mo
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Waco
Property crime (2835.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Waco, TX
Pros
Homes cost $271k less ($174,100 vs $445,200)
Rent averages $720/mo less ($1,038 vs $1,758)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Thornton
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.8)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 48°F
Cons
Median income trails Thornton by $47,643/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Thornton
Median Income
$47,643
$95,064 vs $47,421/yr
Thornton
Violent Crime
36% lower
273.6 vs 425.9 per 100k
Waco
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.8 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Waco
Median Home Value
$271k less
$174,100 vs $445,200
Waco
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 94.5°F vs 91.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Thornton, CO | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 90.8 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $445,200⚠ High | $174,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,758⚠ High | $1,038 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,064 ✓ Higher | $47,421 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.5% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 97 ✓ Safer | 108⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 112⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 135⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.3:1 | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.7% ✓ Higher | 27.9% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% ✓ Higher | 85.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | WACO ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.0°F | 58.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 91.1°F | 94.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.7" ✓ Drier | 38.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 44.8" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 141,799 ✓ Larger | 140,545 |
| Median Age | 33.7 ✓ Older | 28.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.7% ✓ Higher | 47.3% |
| Under 18 | 26.6% ✓ More | 23.2% |
| Over 65 | 10.1% | 12.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Thornton's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Waco's 90.8 (US average = 100).
Waco is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Waco leads 12 of 23 categories. Thornton wins 11 and Waco wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Thornton to Waco or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($445,200 vs $174,100 median home), income ($95,064 vs $47,421), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Thornton, CO and Waco, TX are about 722 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.