Dothan AL vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Dothan +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Rochester
38.7
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 26,509 | Dothan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 38.7 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 56.6% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 35.6% | 3.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 3.9% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Rochester
$57,602
Rochester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Rochester
50.3%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $57,602 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 50.3% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Rochester
$344,633
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $344,633 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Rochester
1992
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1992 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Rochester
36.4%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Rochester
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Rochester
11.4%
Rochester +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 36.4% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.0% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.3 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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