Dothan AL vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Independence
121,944
Independence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Independence
38.4
Independence +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 121,944 | Independence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 38.4 | Independence + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 56.6% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 35.6% | 10.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Independence
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $31,683 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 20.9% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $210,384 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.9% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.4% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.5 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, 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 501 in Independence. 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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