Dothan AL vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 129,064 | Fargo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 56.6% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 35.6% | 8.3% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 3.7% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $66,029 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $42,212 | Fargo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 12.8% | Fargo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 43.2% | Fargo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $318,584 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 44.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2037 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 34.3% | Fargo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 21.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.8% | Fargo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 42.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fargo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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