Dothan AL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
South Bend
102,866
South Bend +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
South Bend
54.1%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
South Bend
1.7%
South Bend +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 102,866 | South Bend + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 56.6% | 54.1% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 24.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.7% | South Bend + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $52,512 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $29,511 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.0% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 22.6% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.6% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 18.2% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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