Dearborn MI 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)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
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
Dearborn
107,846
Dearborn +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Dothan
56.6%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Dearborn +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 71,118 | Dearborn + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 40.4 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 3.7% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 56.6% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 35.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.4% | Dearborn + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Dothan
$55,052
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Dothan
27.3%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $55,052 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 27.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Dothan
57.1%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $205,339 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 57.1% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Dothan
1734
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Dothan
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Dothan
16.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Dothan
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 41.1% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.5% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.9% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 55.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, 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 471 in Dearborn. 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, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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