Dothan AL vs Southaven MS — 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%

Southaven, MS

Mississippi · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$276,140
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Dothan
71,118
Southaven
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Southaven
N/A
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Southaven
N/A
White
Dothan
56.6%
Southaven
N/A
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Southaven
N/A
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Southaven
N/A
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Southaven
N/A
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Southaven
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Southaven
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Dothan +
Southaven
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Southaven
N/A
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Southaven
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Southaven
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Southaven
$276,140
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Southaven
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Southaven
247
Southaven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Southaven
1808

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Southaven
37.2%
Southaven +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Southaven
12.5%
Southaven +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Southaven
16.7%
Southaven +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Southaven
10.0%
Southaven +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Southaven
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Southaven
14.2%
Southaven +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Southaven
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Southaven
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Southaven
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Southaven
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Southaven
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

Dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Southaven is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Southaven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Dothan & Southaven