Dothan AL vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 56.6% | 53.7% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 7.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.1% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $411,323 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 17.3% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.7 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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