Dothan AL vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 41.5 | Dothan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 56.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 35.6% | 6.6% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 2.4% | Dothan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $309,742 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 471 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Sterling Heights +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Sterling Heights
15.3%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 36.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.4% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 15.3% | Sterling Heights + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 27.5 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, 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 471 in Sterling Heights. 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, Sterling Heights scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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