Dothan AL vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 56.6% | 69.9% | Lexington + |
| Black | 35.6% | 14.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lexington
$52,606
Lexington +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Lexington
15.7%
Lexington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $67,631 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $42,272 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $52,606 | Lexington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.0% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.7% | Lexington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 47.3% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Lexington
$332,727
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $332,727 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 53.6% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lexington
55.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lexington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Lexington
22.5 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.5 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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