Dothan AL vs Grand Rapids MI — 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Grand Rapids
197,768
Grand Rapids +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Grand Rapids +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 197,768 | Grand Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 56.6% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 35.6% | 17.9% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Grand Rapids +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $33,953 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Grand Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
54.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $309,801 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 54.6% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Grand Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.9% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.6% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, 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 471 in Grand Rapids. 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, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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