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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Thornton, CO vs Colorado Springs, CO

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Thornton spends 9.4% more per capita than Colorado Springs ($1,239/person difference). Colorado Springs, CO has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Thornton, CO
Pop. 141,799
C
54/100
Budget Balance78
Debt Burden3
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency94
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Colorado Springs, CO
Pop. 479,612
C
59/100
Budget Balance54
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Thornton
Colorado Springs
Total Spending
$2.1B
$6.3B
Spending / Capita
$14,462
$13,222
Total Revenue
$2.5B
$25.3B
Revenue / Capita
$17,658
$52,777
Total Debt
$173.1M
$1.5B
Debt / Capita
$1,221
$3,063
Population
141,799
479,612
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Thornton$427
Colorado Springs$1,266
Highways & Roads
Thornton$411
Colorado Springs$0
Parks & Recreation
Thornton$1,969
Colorado Springs$376

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

ThorntonColorado Springs
Sales Tax
$530
$257
Income Tax
$420
$0
Intergovernmental
$17,658
$6,902
Charges & Fees
$4,216
$5,676
Other
$1,541
$2,678

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

ThorntonColorado Springs
Fire Protection
$427
$1,266
Highways & Roads
$411
$0
Public Welfare
$899
$575
Hospitals
$173
$416
Parks & Recreation
$1,969
$376
Housing
$3,363
$2,713
Sewerage
$159
$0
Utilities
$3,118
$2,566
Interest on Debt
$0
$190
Other
$3,943
$5,120
C
Thornton, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 54/100
Average fiscal health
C
Colorado Springs, CO
Fiscal Health Score: 59/100
Average fiscal health

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