Performance
Score Breakdown
Dothan
Tuscaloosa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tuscaloosa is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
6% higher compared to Dothan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dothan's average rent is
14% lower than Tuscaloosa's.
| Metric | Dothan | Tuscaloosa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,242 | $1,450 | -14% |
| Groceries | $375 | $450 | -17% |
| Utilities | $278 | $250 | +11% |
| Transport | $375 | $120 | +213% |
| Healthcare | $256 | $121 | +112% |
| Monthly Total | $2,526 | $2,391 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 87 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tuscaloosa offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tuscaloosa delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dothan is estimated at
$64,000 vs $39,720 in Tuscaloosa.
| Metric | Dothan | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $54,163 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $39,720 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,621 idx | 62,256 idx |
| Household Income | $55,792 | $51,464 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dothan | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Tuscaloosa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dothan | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tuscaloosa is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Dothan.
From a growth perspective, Tuscaloosa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Dothan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dothan | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,242 | 116,477 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.89% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 27.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.20% |
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.
Tuscaloosa
Advantages
The cost of living in Tuscaloosa is 11% to 13.1% lower than the national average, with housing expenses being 26% cheaper.
Tuscaloosa's crime rates, including homicides and property crimes, saw significant drops in 2025 compared to 2024.
The average commute time in Tuscaloosa is 19.6 minutes, which is shorter than the U.S. average.
The city has a stable and growing job market, with employment increasing by 1.64% from 2023 to 2024.
Tuscaloosa was ranked among the nation's top 25 cities for small business growth from May 2024 to May 2025.
Drawbacks
Tuscaloosa's violent crime rate of 553.4 per 100,000 residents is higher than the national average of 359.1.
The city has a relatively low walkability score of 33, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Utility prices in Tuscaloosa are approximately 11% to 13.2% higher than the national average.
A significant portion of Tuscaloosa families, 25.13%, live in poverty.
The city's transit score is not widely reported and appears to be low, suggesting limited public transportation options.
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
Tuscaloosa
#73Alabama, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$54,163
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.89%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
65
Business
70
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