Columbia MO 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)
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
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
Columbia
127,200
Columbia +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Dothan
56.6%
Black
Columbia
12.1%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbia
4.3%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,200 | 71,118 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 40.4 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.1% | 3.7% | Columbia + |
| White | 74.3% | 56.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 12.1% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 6.1% | 1.4% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 4.3% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$64,488
Columbia +
Dothan
$55,052
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$37,359
Columbia +
Dothan
$34,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
3.9%
Columbia +
Dothan
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Columbia
20.0%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
56.5%
Columbia +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,488 | $55,052 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,359 | $34,756 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.5% | Columbia + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.0% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.5% | 27.3% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$323,876
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
49.4%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $323,876 | $205,339 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
501
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
2418
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 400 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
30.1%
Columbia +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.1%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
18.5%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.4%
Columbia +
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.1% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 16.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.4% | 10.9% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.4% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
56.0°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 55.9 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Columbia, MO | 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
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
Dothan
22.0 min
| Metric | Columbia, MO | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.2 min | 22.0 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $64,488, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. Columbia has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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