Dothan AL vs Huntsville AL — 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%
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Huntsville
29.7%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Huntsville
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 218,814 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.4 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 6.6% | Huntsville + |
| White | 56.6% | 58.4% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 35.6% | 29.7% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.0% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Huntsville
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $70,778 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $44,733 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 13.8% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 46.2% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Huntsville
$288,707
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $288,707 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 58.1% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Huntsville
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Huntsville
1734
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Huntsville
40.7%
Huntsville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Huntsville
14.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.7% | Huntsville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.2% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Huntsville
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 54.3 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Huntsville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Huntsville, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.0 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Huntsville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Huntsville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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