Dothan AL vs Fayetteville 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%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Fayetteville
7.6%
Fayetteville +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 7.6% | Fayetteville + |
| White | 56.6% | 38.3% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Fayetteville
$31,467
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Fayetteville
$59,120
Fayetteville +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $31,467 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Fayetteville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $226,710 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 46.5% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Fayetteville
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Fayetteville
45.4 in
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 45.4 in | Fayetteville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
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