Dothan AL vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 56.6% | 39.1% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $313,219 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 48.5% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.3% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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