Dothan AL vs Rockford IL — 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%
Rockford, IL
Illinois · Population: 147,649
- Median HH Income$53,328
- Median Home Price$180,220
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+23.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Rockford
147,649
Rockford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Rockford
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Rockford
37.5
Rockford +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Rockford
12.3%
Rockford +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Rockford
55.5%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Rockford
21.8%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Rockford
3.7%
Rockford +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Rockford
20.6%
Rockford +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Rockford
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 147,649 | Rockford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.5 | Rockford + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 12.3% | Rockford + |
| White | 56.6% | 55.5% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 21.8% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.7% | Rockford + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 20.6% | Rockford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Rockford
$53,328
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Rockford
$30,409
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Rockford
$68,110
Rockford +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Rockford
8.6%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Rockford
21.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Rockford
23.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $53,328 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $30,409 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Rockford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.6% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 21.9% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 23.2% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Rockford
$180,220
Rockford +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Rockford
53.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $180,220 | Rockford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 53.8% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Rockford
344
Rockford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Rockford
1842
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Rockford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Rockford
44.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Rockford
15.4%
Rockford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Rockford
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Rockford
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Rockford
15.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Rockford
18.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 44.7% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.4% | Rockford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.0% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.0% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.1% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Rockford
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Rockford
36.2 in
Rockford +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 36.2 in | Rockford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Rockford
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Rockford
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Rockford
22.7 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Rockford, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 22.7 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while rockford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $180,220. On public safety, Rockford is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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