Dothan AL vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Roanoke
98,677
Roanoke +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Roanoke
38.0
Roanoke +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 98,677 | Roanoke + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 38.0 | Roanoke + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 56.6% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 35.6% | 29.0% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $52,671 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 19.7% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $279,668 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.7% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Roanoke
14.9%
Roanoke +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Roanoke
14.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 41.9% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Roanoke + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.4% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.0% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.7% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.7% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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