Cleveland OH 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Dothan
35.6%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 71,118 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 40.4 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 3.7% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 46.8% | 35.6% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.4% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 4.5% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Cleveland +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cleveland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 27.3% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $205,339 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Dothan
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.1% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 55.9 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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