Dothan AL vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Rio Rancho
36.8
Rio Rancho +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Rio Rancho
11.6%
Rio Rancho +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Rio Rancho +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 47,823 | Dothan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 36.8 | Rio Rancho + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 11.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| White | 56.6% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 35.6% | 1.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Rio Rancho +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $50,294 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $28,418 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $53,141 | Rio Rancho + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 24.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 19.6% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $362,476 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 834 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3177 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.0% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 12.3 in | Rio Rancho + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, 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 834 in Rio Rancho. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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