Dothan AL vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
San Marcos
99,507
San Marcos +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Dothan
56.6%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 99,507 | San Marcos + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 56.6% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 35.6% | 4.3% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.4% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Dothan +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $33,835 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 24.9% | Dothan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $313,452 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 22.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 19.7% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 19.7% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
Compare More Cities
Dothan, AL vs New York, NYDothan, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dothan, ALDothan, AL vs Houston, TXDothan, AL vs Phoenix, AZDothan, AL vs Philadelphia, PA