Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Dayton +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Dayton +
Dothan
35.6%
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 71,118 | Dayton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 40.4 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 3.7% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 38.0% | 35.6% | Dayton + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 1.4% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 4.5% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 27.3% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $205,339 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Dothan
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 41.1% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 55.9 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | 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 dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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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