Dothan AL vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 56.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 35.6% | 9.7% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $33,290 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Dothan +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Dothan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Dothan +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.9% | Dothan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Dothan is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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