Allentown PA 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)
Allentown, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 125,320
- Median HH Income$53,403
- Median Home Price$312,103
- Unemployment8.8%
- Bachelor's+19.4%
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
Allentown
125,320
Allentown +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Allentown
32.4
Allentown +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Allentown
20.8%
Allentown +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Allentown
42.3%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Allentown
13.0%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Allentown
2.5%
Allentown +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Allentown
53.8%
Allentown +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 71,118 | Allentown + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 40.4 | Allentown + |
| Foreign Born | 20.8% | 3.7% | Allentown + |
| White | 42.3% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 13.0% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Allentown + |
| Hispanic | 53.8% | 4.5% | Allentown + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allentown
$53,403
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Allentown
$25,846
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allentown
$65,080
Allentown +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Allentown
8.8%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Allentown
21.6%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Allentown
19.4%
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,403 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,846 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $51,690 | Allentown + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.8% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.6% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.4% | 27.3% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allentown
$312,103
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Homeownership Rate
Allentown
42.3%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,103 | $205,339 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
319
Allentown +
Dothan
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allentown
1613
Allentown +
Dothan
1734
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Allentown + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 1734 | Allentown + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allentown
N/A
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 18.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.4% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
51.2°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allentown
45.4 in
Allentown +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.4 in | 55.9 in | Allentown + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allentown
9.8 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allentown
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allentown
26.3 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.3 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Allentown is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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