Dothan AL vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Oceanside
172,542
Oceanside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Oceanside
38.1
Oceanside +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Oceanside
52.9%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 172,542 | Oceanside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 38.1 | Oceanside + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 56.6% | 52.9% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 4.2% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Oceanside
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.4% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $877,452 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Oceanside
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Oceanside. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
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