Dothan AL vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lansing
112,546
Lansing +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Lansing
56.1%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Lansing
23.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lansing
12.9%
Lansing +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 112,546 | Lansing + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 10.1% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.6% | 56.1% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 23.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.9% | Lansing + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lansing
$58,052
Lansing +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $52,170 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $29,894 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Lansing + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.1% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 19.9% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.6% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 53.9% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Lansing
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Lansing
39.9%
Lansing +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.9% | Lansing + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.6% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.8% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lansing
48.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 32.2 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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, Lansing scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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