Dothan AL vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Odessa
114,080
Odessa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Odessa
51.9%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 114,080 | Odessa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 56.6% | 51.9% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 6.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.9% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Odessa
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 18.3% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $253,423 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Odessa
18.0%
Odessa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.0% | Odessa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 25.4% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 18.1% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Odessa
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Odessa
23.7 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.7 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, 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 442 in Odessa. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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