Dothan AL vs Elizabeth NJ — 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%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Elizabeth
1.8%
Elizabeth +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 56.6% | 24.8% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 17.1% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Elizabeth
$63,874
Elizabeth +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Elizabeth
15.3%
Elizabeth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $63,874 | Elizabeth + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $28,490 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.3% | Elizabeth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 14.2% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Elizabeth
$531,592
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $531,592 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 25.4% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Elizabeth
34.8%
Elizabeth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Elizabeth
13.7%
Elizabeth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Elizabeth
17.8%
Elizabeth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Elizabeth
15.0%
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 34.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.7% | Elizabeth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.8% | Elizabeth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 28.1% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.0% | Elizabeth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Elizabeth +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Elizabeth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.3 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elizabeth leads in median household income at $63,874, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Elizabeth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elizabeth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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