Dothan AL vs Waukegan IL — 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%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Dothan +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Waukegan
61.9%
Waukegan +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Waukegan
11.2%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 33,889 | Dothan + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 56.6% | 61.9% | Waukegan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 11.2% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Waukegan
$49,019
Waukegan +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Waukegan
$68,110
Waukegan +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $49,019 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $68,110 | Waukegan + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Waukegan
$239,865
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $239,865 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Waukegan
344
Waukegan +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 344 | Waukegan + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1842 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Waukegan
40.2%
Waukegan +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Waukegan
14.4%
Waukegan +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Waukegan
16.9%
Waukegan +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Waukegan
14.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Waukegan
14.3%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 40.2% | Waukegan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.4% | Waukegan + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.9% | Waukegan + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 21.3% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.8% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.3% | Waukegan + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Dothan +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Dothan +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Dothan + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Dothan + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 33.7 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Waukegan is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Dothan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Dothan has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waukegan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.2%.
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