Dothan AL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 56.6% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $48,416 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $25,509 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 10.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 24.7% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 17.4% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $482,675 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 24.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.0% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 23.4% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.2% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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