Dothan AL vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 56.6% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 35.6% | 10.5% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.3% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $496,966 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 56.5% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 18.7% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 31.1 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
Compare More Cities
Dothan, AL vs New York, NYDothan, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dothan, ALDothan, AL vs Houston, TXDothan, AL vs Phoenix, AZDothan, AL vs Philadelphia, PA