Dothan AL vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 161,993 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 56.6% | 21.8% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 1.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Salinas
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $28,813 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.7% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 15.5% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $751,711 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 47.0% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Salinas
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, 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%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 22.4% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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