Dothan AL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 56.6% | 53.8% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 27.5% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $435,807 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.2% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 25.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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