Dothan AL vs Lakeland FL — 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%
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lakeland
82,506
Lakeland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Lakeland
48.4
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Lakeland
8.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lakeland
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 82,506 | Lakeland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 48.4 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 12.9% | Lakeland + |
| White | 56.6% | 74.1% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 35.6% | 8.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 14.4% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Lakeland
26.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $60,465 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $36,322 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 12.0% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 26.8% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Lakeland
$312,001
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $312,001 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 61.1% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Lakeland
18.3%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Lakeland
16.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Lakeland
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 38.9% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.3% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.1% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lakeland
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 54.8 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Lakeland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Lakeland
25.6 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lakeland, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.6 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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