Dothan AL vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 56.6% | 35.5% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 21.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $29,766 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.1% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 20.1% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $466,147 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Lancaster
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.6% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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