Dothan AL vs Durham NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dothan, AL
Alabama · Population: 71,118
- Median HH Income$55,052
- Median Home Price$205,339
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Durham
34.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 56.6% | 44.0% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 34.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $399,509 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.8% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Durham
10.7%
Durham +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Durham
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.7% | Durham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.6% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 47.8 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.3 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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