Dothan AL vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Plano
39.3
Plano +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 39.3 | Plano + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 56.6% | 53.2% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 9.0% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $507,575 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 56.6% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | 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
Dothan +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.6 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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