Dothan AL vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 56.6% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 35.6% | 7.1% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $429,253 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 46.6% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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