Dothan AL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 56.6% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 35.6% | 1.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $438,754 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 55.7% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3001 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 41.4% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.8% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.6% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.2% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 24.5 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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