Detroit 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Dothan
71,118
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Dothan
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Dothan
40.4
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Dothan
3.7%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Dothan
35.6%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Detroit +
Dothan
1.4%
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Dothan
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Dothan
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 71,118 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.4 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 3.7% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 76.8% | 35.6% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 1.4% | Detroit + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 4.5% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Dothan
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $55,052 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $34,756 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 19.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 27.3% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Dothan
$205,339
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $205,339 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 57.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Dothan
1734
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Dothan
12.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 41.1% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.9% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Dothan
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Dothan
55.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 55.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
| Metric | Detroit, 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
Detroit
27.3 min
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Dothan, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 22.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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