Is Colorado Springs or Thornton Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Thornton is safer than Colorado Springs (Safety Score 18/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100,000 versus 4,167 for Colorado Springs — 25% lower. Colorado Springs has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Thornton has a 82% lower rate.
Note: Colorado Springs is 3.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Colorado Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Thornton — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Colorado Springs, CO
Thornton, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Colorado Springs | Thornton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,167.1 | 3,114.2 | +1,052.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 718.3 | 278.4 | +439.9 |
| Murder Rate | 7.7 | 1.4 | +6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 101.3 | 79.5 | +21.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 77.5 | 49.4 | +28.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 529.0 | 143.3 | +385.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,448.8 | 2,835.9 | +613.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 529.8 | 277.0 | +252.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,227.4 | 2,067.9 | +159.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 691.6 | 490.9 | +200.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Thornton safer?
Thornton is safer with a total crime rate of 3,114 per 100K vs 4,167 for Colorado Springs — a 25% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Colorado Springs has a violent crime rate of 718.3 per 100K while Thornton has 278.4. Thornton has lower violent crime.
About Colorado Springs, CO
Nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a city with a strong military presence, home to the U.S. Air Force Academy. Its population of over 480,000 residents enjoys a high desert climate. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 491,474, Colorado Springs has a total crime rate of 4,167.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Thornton, CO
Thornton, a northern Denver suburb, began as a post-WWII housing boom community. It spans parts of Adams and Weld counties, with a diverse, family-oriented population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 145,847, Thornton has a total crime rate of 3,114.2 per 100,000 residents.