Dothan AL vs Lake Charles 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lake Charles
81,679
Lake Charles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lake Charles
2.6%
Lake Charles +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lake Charles
4.7%
Lake Charles +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 81,679 | Lake Charles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| White | 56.6% | 47.3% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 4.7% | Lake Charles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Lake Charles
$56,864
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Lake Charles
$35,847
Lake Charles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lake Charles
$55,297
Lake Charles +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Lake Charles
29.4%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $56,864 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $35,847 | Lake Charles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Lake Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 23.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.4% | Lake Charles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, 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%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lake Charles
16.2%
Lake Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 45.6% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Lake Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.7% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.6% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.0% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Dothan +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 62.4 in | Dothan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lake Charles leads in median household income at $56,864, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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