Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Columbus +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Columbus
39.3%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Dothan
35.6%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Columbus +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 71,118 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 3.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 39.3% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 46.7% | 35.6% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 4.5% | Columbus + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Columbus +
Dothan
$55,052
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Columbus +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Columbus +
Dothan
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $55,052 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 19.2% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 27.3% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $205,339 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Dothan
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Columbus +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Columbus +
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Dothan
16.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 41.1% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 16.5% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Columbus +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 55.9 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Dothan
22.0 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.0 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $56,622, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.3%.
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