Dothan AL vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 56.6% | 36.5% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $51,888 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $29,679 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,837 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 23.3% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 26.6% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $226,456 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 41.5% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 41.8% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.1% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.3% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, 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
Dothan +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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