Dothan AL vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Thornton
34.3
Thornton +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.3 | Thornton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 56.6% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 35.6% | 2.2% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $505,085 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Thornton
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Thornton
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.2% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.4% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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