Dothan AL vs Gastonia 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%
Gastonia, NC
North Carolina · Population: 81,632
- Median HH Income$60,554
- Median Home Price$279,838
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+27.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Gastonia
81,632
Gastonia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Gastonia
37.2
Gastonia +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Gastonia
7.3%
Gastonia +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Gastonia
55.2%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Gastonia
30.9%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
Gastonia
1.2%
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Gastonia
11.4%
Gastonia +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Gastonia
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 81,632 | Gastonia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.2 | Gastonia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 7.3% | Gastonia + |
| White | 56.6% | 55.2% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 30.9% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.2% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 11.4% | Gastonia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Gastonia
$60,554
Gastonia +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Gastonia
$33,611
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Gastonia
$59,120
Gastonia +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Gastonia
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Gastonia
14.3%
Gastonia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Gastonia
27.7%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $60,554 | Gastonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $33,611 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Gastonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.3% | Gastonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 27.7% | Gastonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Gastonia
$279,838
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Gastonia
54.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $279,838 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 54.2% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Gastonia
398
Gastonia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Gastonia
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Gastonia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Gastonia
37.8%
Gastonia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Gastonia
13.5%
Gastonia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Gastonia
17.6%
Gastonia +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Gastonia
12.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Gastonia
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Gastonia
15.6%
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 37.8% | Gastonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Gastonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.6% | Gastonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.5% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.2% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.6% | Gastonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Gastonia
60.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Gastonia
43.0 in
Gastonia +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 43.0 in | Gastonia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Gastonia
8.7 µg/m³
Gastonia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Gastonia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Gastonia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Gastonia
28.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Gastonia, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gastonia leads in median household income at $60,554, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Gastonia 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 Gastonia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gastonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.8%.
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