Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Athens +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Dothan
56.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 71,118 | Athens + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.4 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 3.7% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 56.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 1.4% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 4.5% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 27.3% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $205,339 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Dothan
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Dothan
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dothan
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Athens, GA | 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
Athens
62.6°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 55.9 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Athens, GA | 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
Athens
22.3 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 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, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA