Dothan AL vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
El Paso
1.5%
El Paso +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 56.6% | 39.3% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 3.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.5% | El Paso + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $28,942 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 27.5% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
El Paso
$235,994
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $235,994 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
El Paso
16.4%
El Paso +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.4% | El Paso + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 27.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 64.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, 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 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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