Dothan AL vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 56.6% | 36.1% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.4% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 22.0% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $233,814 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 52.3% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 34.5 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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