Albany NY vs Dothan AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
Dothan, AL
Alabama · Population: 71,118
- Median HH Income$55,052
- Median Home Price$205,339
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
100,081
Albany +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Albany
53.0%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Albany +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 71,118 | Albany + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.4 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 3.7% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 26.6% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.4% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 4.5% | Albany + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Dothan
$55,052
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Dothan
$34,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $55,052 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $34,756 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 27.3% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $205,339 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Albany +
Dothan
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 41.1% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.5% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.3% | Albany + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 10.9% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.4% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Albany +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 55.9 in | Albany + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Albany +
Dothan
22.0 min
| Metric | Albany, NY | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 22.0 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Albany. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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