Dothan AL vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Las Cruces
112,612
Las Cruces +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Las Cruces
10.1%
Las Cruces +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
54.1%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Las Cruces
1.9%
Las Cruces +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 112,612 | Las Cruces + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 10.1% | Las Cruces + |
| White | 56.6% | 54.1% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 2.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Las Cruces
$53,141
Las Cruces +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $30,804 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,141 | Las Cruces + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.4% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 22.0% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $290,963 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 55.6% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 834 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3177 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Las Cruces
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 17.7% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.9% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, 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 834 in Las Cruces. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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