Dothan AL vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Dothan +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Wilmington
2.3%
Wilmington +
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 56.6% | 48.7% | Dothan + |
| Black | 35.6% | 32.4% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.3% | Wilmington + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $419,326 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 54.6% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 17.5% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Dothan +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9 in | 58.4 in | Dothan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dothan
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Dothan +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 23.2 min | Dothan + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Wilmington 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 Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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