Dothan AL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Tuscaloosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 107,699 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 56.6% | 49.6% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $48,536 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $31,324 | Dothan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.0% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 23.8% | Dothan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $231,461 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 45.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Tuscaloosa
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 42.6% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 21.3% | Dothan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.5% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.1% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dothan leads in median household income at $55,052, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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