Dothan AL vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Dothan +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 44,998 | Dothan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 57.8 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 56.6% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 35.6% | 5.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $503,393 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.6% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.7% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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