Dothan AL vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Palm Bay
2.1%
Palm Bay +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 41.3 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 56.6% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 35.6% | 19.3% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Palm Bay + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $34,474 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 22.6% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Palm Bay
$304,173
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $304,173 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Palm Bay
36.5%
Palm Bay +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Palm Bay
14.0%
Palm Bay +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Palm Bay
17.6%
Palm Bay +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Palm Bay
14.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Palm Bay
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Palm Bay
14.5%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 36.5% | Palm Bay + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Palm Bay + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.6% | Palm Bay + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.2% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Palm Bay + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | 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
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 29.6 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Palm Bay is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palm Bay scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
Compare More Cities
Dothan, AL vs New York, NYDothan, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dothan, ALDothan, AL vs Houston, TXDothan, AL vs Phoenix, AZDothan, AL vs Philadelphia, PA