Dothan AL vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Santa Ana
91,535
Santa Ana +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 91,535 | Santa Ana + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 42.9 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 56.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 35.6% | 4.9% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.1% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $865,610 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 28.8% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 20.7% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 28.0 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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