Performance
Score Breakdown
Dothan
Huntsville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dothan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dothan's average rent is
18% lower than Huntsville's.
| Metric | Dothan | Huntsville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,242 | $1,522 | -18% |
| Groceries | $375 | $701 | -47% |
| Utilities | $278 | $337 | -18% |
| Transport | $375 | $349 | +7% |
| Healthcare | $256 | $137 | +87% |
| Monthly Total | $2,526 | $3,046 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Huntsville offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Huntsville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dothan is estimated at
$64,000 vs $64,000 in Huntsville.
| Metric | Dothan | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $64,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,621 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $55,792 | $74,714 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dothan | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Dothan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Dothan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dothan | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dothan.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dothan | Huntsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,242 | 234,859 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.70% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 2.30% |
| GDP | $— | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dothan
Advantages
The cost of living in Dothan is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Dothan is a regional healthcare hub with major hospitals and a medical college, ensuring good access to medical services.
The city offers diverse industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, providing varied employment opportunities.
Residents have access to numerous outdoor activities and cultural attractions, such as the Forever Wild Trails, Botanical Gardens, and the Wiregrass Museum of Art.
The population has shown consistent growth, indicating a dynamic and developing community.
Drawbacks
Dothan has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited public transportation and low walkability scores in many areas.
Remote work opportunities are more limited compared to larger metropolitan areas.
Summers in Dothan are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity.
The housing market can be competitive, with homes selling in an average of 60 days.
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dothan
#98Alabama, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,242
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
30.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
62
Business
68
Huntsville
#24Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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