Dothan AL vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Shreveport
37.5
Shreveport +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Dothan +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Shreveport
1.5%
Shreveport +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.5 | Shreveport + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 2.6% | Dothan + |
| White | 56.6% | 36.5% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.5% | Shreveport + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 3.9% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Shreveport
27.5%
Shreveport +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $48,465 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $33,788 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 8.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 23.6% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 27.5% | Shreveport + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Shreveport
53.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 53.8% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Dothan +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Shreveport
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 43.1% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.6% | Dothan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.1% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.1% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Shreveport
52.7 in
Shreveport +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 52.7 in | Shreveport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. 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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