Dothan AL vs Elk Grove CA — 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%
Elk Grove, CA
California · Population: 177,221
- Median HH Income$122,229
- Median Home Price$637,623
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Elk Grove
177,221
Elk Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Elk Grove
39.0
Elk Grove +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Elk Grove
25.0%
Elk Grove +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Elk Grove
34.9%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Elk Grove
10.9%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Elk Grove
31.8%
Elk Grove +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Elk Grove
18.0%
Elk Grove +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 177,221 | Elk Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 39.0 | Elk Grove + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 25.0% | Elk Grove + |
| White | 56.6% | 34.9% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 31.8% | Elk Grove + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 18.0% | Elk Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Elk Grove
$122,229
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Elk Grove
$44,932
Elk Grove +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Elk Grove
$77,230
Elk Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Elk Grove
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Elk Grove
7.4%
Elk Grove +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Elk Grove
38.0%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $122,229 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $44,932 | Elk Grove + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Elk Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.7% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.4% | Elk Grove + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 38.0% | Elk Grove + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Elk Grove
$637,623
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Elk Grove
73.9%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $637,623 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 73.9% | Elk Grove + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Elk Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Elk Grove
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Elk Grove
26.2%
Elk Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Elk Grove
10.9%
Elk Grove +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Elk Grove
15.9%
Elk Grove +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Elk Grove
6.7%
Elk Grove +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Elk Grove
13.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Elk Grove
10.1%
Elk Grove +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 26.2% | Elk Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.9% | Elk Grove + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.9% | Elk Grove + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Elk Grove + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.2% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.1% | Elk Grove + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Elk Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Elk Grove
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | 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
Elk Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Elk Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Elk Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Elk Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Elk Grove
33.7 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Elk Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.7 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Elk Grove leads in median household income at $122,229, 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 503 in Elk Grove. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Elk Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Elk Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
Compare More Cities
Dothan, AL vs New York, NYDothan, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dothan, ALDothan, AL vs Houston, TXDothan, AL vs Phoenix, AZDothan, AL vs Philadelphia, PA