Dothan AL vs Fort Wayne IN — 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%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Fort Wayne
266,235
Fort Wayne +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Fort Wayne
35.0
Fort Wayne +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Fort Wayne
9.0%
Fort Wayne +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Fort Wayne +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Fort Wayne +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 266,235 | Fort Wayne + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.0 | Fort Wayne + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 9.0% | Fort Wayne + |
| White | 56.6% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 35.6% | 14.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Fort Wayne +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Fort Wayne
28.5%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $32,884 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | Fort Wayne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 28.5% | Fort Wayne + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $245,993 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Fort Wayne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Fort Wayne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Fort Wayne +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.7% | Fort Wayne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.8% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.7% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. 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, Fort Wayne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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