Dothan AL vs Newport News VA — 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%
Newport News, VA
Virginia · Population: 184,774
- Median HH Income$66,718
- Median Home Price$294,407
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Newport News
184,774
Newport News +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Newport News
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Newport News
34.2
Newport News +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Newport News
8.1%
Newport News +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Newport News
42.3%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Newport News
41.0%
Newport News +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Newport News
3.3%
Newport News +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Newport News
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 184,774 | Newport News + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.2 | Newport News + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 8.1% | Newport News + |
| White | 56.6% | 42.3% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 41.0% | Newport News + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.3% | Newport News + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Newport News
$66,718
Newport News +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Newport News
$37,475
Newport News +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Newport News
$69,581
Newport News +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Newport News
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Newport News
15.1%
Newport News +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Newport News
29.1%
Newport News +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $66,718 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $37,475 | Newport News + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Newport News + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.1% | Newport News + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.1% | Newport News + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Newport News
$294,407
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Newport News
48.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $294,407 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 48.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Newport News
240
Newport News +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Newport News
1726
Newport News +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Newport News + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Newport News + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Newport News
40.7%
Newport News +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Newport News
13.5%
Newport News +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Newport News
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Newport News
10.5%
Newport News +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Newport News
13.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Newport News
14.4%
Newport News +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.7% | Newport News + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Newport News + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.5% | Newport News + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.6% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Newport News + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Newport News
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Newport News
45.4 in
Newport News +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 45.4 in | Newport News + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Newport News
8.2 µg/m³
Newport News +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Newport News
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Newport News + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Newport News
25.2 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Newport News, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.2 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newport News leads in median household income at $66,718, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Newport News is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Newport News has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newport News scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.7%.
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