Dothan AL vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 56.6% | 39.1% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $580,173 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 41.1% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 24.0% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | 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
Dothan +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 32.8 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Dothan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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