Dothan AL vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Rapid City
76,836
Rapid City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Rapid City
39.0
Rapid City +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Dothan +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Dothan
56.6%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Rapid City
5.6%
Rapid City +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 76,836 | Rapid City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 39.0 | Rapid City + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 2.3% | Dothan + |
| White | 56.6% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 35.6% | 1.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.3% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 5.6% | Rapid City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Rapid City
$65,712
Rapid City +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Rapid City
$40,447
Rapid City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Rapid City
$69,795
Rapid City +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Rapid City
13.3%
Rapid City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $65,712 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $40,447 | Rapid City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,795 | Rapid City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 13.3% | Rapid City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Rapid City
$363,258
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $363,258 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Rapid City
405
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Rapid City
1873
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 405 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1873 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Rapid City
34.0%
Rapid City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Rapid City
11.8%
Rapid City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Rapid City
15.9%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 34.0% | Rapid City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.8% | Rapid City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 20.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.9% | Rapid City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Rapid City
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Rapid City
18.4 in
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 18.4 in | Rapid City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rapid City leads in median household income at $65,712, 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 405 in Rapid City. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rapid City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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