Dothan AL vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.7 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 56.6% | 36.8% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 12.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $480,548 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 51.5% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Sacramento
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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