Dothan AL vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Paterson
N/A
White
Dothan
56.6%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| White | 56.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 35.6% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.4% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $527,542 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Paterson
16.1%
Paterson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Paterson
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Paterson
16.4%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Paterson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.6% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 28.6% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.4% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | 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
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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