Dothan AL vs Indianapolis 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%
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Indianapolis
53.6%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Indianapolis
28.1%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 882,043 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 11.6% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 56.6% | 53.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 28.1% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 13.3% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Indianapolis
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $62,995 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $36,194 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 34.2% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Indianapolis
$232,133
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Indianapolis
55.3%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $232,133 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 55.3% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Indianapolis
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Indianapolis
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Indianapolis
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Indianapolis
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Indianapolis
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Indianapolis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 41.8 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Indianapolis
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, 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 +
Indianapolis
25.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Indianapolis, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Indianapolis 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).
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