Dothan AL vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.4 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 56.6% | 46.4% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Little Rock
$53,714
Little Rock +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,714 | Little Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Little Rock
$216,863
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $216,863 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 54.2% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 660 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2507 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Little Rock
40.5%
Little Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Little Rock
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.5% | Little Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Little Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.5%.
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