Dothan AL vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Lowell
114,799
Lowell +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 114,799 | Lowell + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 56.6% | 50.9% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 10.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Lowell
$76,205
Lowell +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Lowell
$36,138
Lowell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Lowell
16.0%
Lowell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Lowell
29.9%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $76,205 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $36,138 | Lowell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.4% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 16.0% | Lowell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.9% | Lowell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Lowell
$484,226
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $484,226 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 44.0% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Lowell
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Lowell
14.1%
Lowell +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.5% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.1% | Lowell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Lowell
48.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 30.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lowell leads in median household income at $76,205, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
Compare More Cities
Dothan, AL vs New York, NYDothan, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dothan, ALDothan, AL vs Houston, TXDothan, AL vs Phoenix, AZDothan, AL vs Philadelphia, PA