Thornton vs McAllen: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Thornton, CO and McAllen, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Thornton, CO | McAllen, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,799 | 142,722 |
| Median household income | $95,064 | $56,326 |
| Median home value | $445,200 | $158,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,758 | $955 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Thornton, CO and McAllen, TX comes down to what you value most. McAllen has the lower median home value, and McAllen has the lower median rent.
Thornton has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Thornton or McAllen?
- By median home value, McAllen is the cheaper of the two ($158,700 vs $445,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Thornton or McAllen?
- Median household income is $95,064 in Thornton versus $56,326 in McAllen, per the US Census Bureau.