Dothan AL vs Mobile AL — 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%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Mobile
3.8%
Mobile +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.7 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 3.8% | Mobile + |
| White | 56.6% | 39.9% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 3.1% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Mobile
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $51,090 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $32,893 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.4% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Mobile
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Mobile
1734
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.0% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Dothan +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 65.3 in | Dothan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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