Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Dothan
35.6%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Baltimore +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 71,118 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.4 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 3.7% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 60.0% | 35.6% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.4% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 4.5% | Baltimore + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Dothan
$55,052
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Dothan
$34,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $55,052 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $34,756 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $51,690 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 27.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $205,339 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Dothan
1734
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 400 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1734 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Baltimore +
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 41.1% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.5% | Baltimore + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.9% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Baltimore +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 55.9 in | Baltimore + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
Compare More Cities
Baltimore, MD vs New York, NYBaltimore, MD vs Los Angeles, CABaltimore, MD vs Chicago, ILBaltimore, MD vs Houston, TXBaltimore, MD vs Phoenix, AZBaltimore, MD vs Philadelphia, PA