Dothan AL vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dothan
71,118
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dothan
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Dothan
40.4
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Dothan
3.7%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Dothan
56.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Dothan
35.6%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Dothan
1.4%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Dothan
4.5%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Dothan
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,118 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 3.7% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 56.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 35.6% | 14.9% | Dothan + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.3% | Dothan + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dothan
$55,052
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
Dothan
$34,756
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dothan
$51,690
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Dothan
4.5%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Dothan
19.2%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dothan
27.3%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,052 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,756 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Dothan + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.3% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dothan
$205,339
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Dothan
57.1%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $205,339 | $265,013 | Dothan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 46.8% | Dothan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
400
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dothan
1734
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Dothan + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
41.1%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.5%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dothan
18.3%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dothan
10.9%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dothan
12.9%
Dothan +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dothan
16.4%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 42.7% | Dothan + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.8% | Dothan + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.4% | Dothan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dothan
55.9 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | 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
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dothan
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dothan
22.0 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Dothan, AL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while dothan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,339. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dothan scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
Compare More Cities
Dothan, AL vs New York, NYDothan, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Dothan, ALDothan, AL vs Houston, TXDothan, AL vs Phoenix, AZDothan, AL vs Philadelphia, PA