Dothan AL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 56.6% | 50.7% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 23.2% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $293,664 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 39.5% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 20.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.7% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Dothan +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 58.1 in | Dothan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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