Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Dothan
35.6%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Birmingham +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 71,118 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.4 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 3.7% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 67.1% | 35.6% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Birmingham + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 4.5% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Dothan
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 27.3% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $205,339 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Dothan
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Dothan
1734
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.1% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 55.9 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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