Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 71,118 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 40.4 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 3.7% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 0.3% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.4% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 4.5% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 27.3% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Dothan
57.1%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $205,339 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 57.1% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Brownsville +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Dothan
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 41.1% | Brownsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.3% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.4% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 55.9 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. 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, Brownsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.8%.
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