Dothan AL vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lafayette
121,537
Lafayette +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Lafayette
37.1
Lafayette +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lafayette
6.6%
Lafayette +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lafayette
2.1%
Lafayette +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lafayette
7.6%
Lafayette +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 121,537 | Lafayette + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.1 | Lafayette + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 6.6% | Lafayette + |
| White | 56.6% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 35.6% | 28.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Lafayette + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 7.6% | Lafayette + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lafayette
$55,297
Lafayette +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Lafayette + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Lafayette
$225,222
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Lafayette
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $225,222 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lafayette
14.0%
Lafayette +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Lafayette
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Lafayette + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Dothan +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 61.0 in | Dothan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, 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 643 in Lafayette. 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, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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