Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Dothan
71,118
Dothan +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Charleston +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Dothan
56.6%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 71,118 | Dothan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 40.4 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 3.7% | Charleston + |
| White | 76.6% | 56.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Dothan
$55,052
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Dothan
$34,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Dothan
$51,690
Dothan +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Charleston +
Dothan
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,052 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $34,756 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $51,690 | Dothan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 27.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Dothan
57.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $205,339 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 57.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Dothan
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Charleston +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Charleston +
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 41.1% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Charleston +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 55.9 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Dothan
22.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 22.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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