Performance
Score Breakdown
Dothan
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dothan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dothan's average rent is
37% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Dothan | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,242 | $1,975 | -37% |
| Groceries | $375 | $425 | -12% |
| Utilities | $278 | $180 | +54% |
| Transport | $375 | $150 | +150% |
| Healthcare | $256 | $120 | +113% |
| Monthly Total | $2,526 | $2,850 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers 25% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Dothan delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Dothan is estimated at
$64,000 vs $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Dothan | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,621 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $55,792 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dothan | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Dothan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dothan | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dothan is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dothan | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,242 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 2.60% |
| 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.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a top-rated public school system, consistently ranked among the best in Alabama.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant recreational parks, green spaces, and community events.
Vestavia Hills is considered a very safe community with a high safety score and low violent crime rates.
Residents benefit from a relatively short average commute time of 19.3 minutes.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 24% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs, including both renting and buying, are approximately 90% higher than the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent with low walkability (score of 22) and minimal public transit options.
Employment in Vestavia Hills experienced a decline of -1.89% from 2023 to 2024.
Natural gas prices in Vestavia Hills averaged $23.38 per thousand cubic feet in November 2024, which was approximately 56.6% more than the U.S. average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dothan
#93Alabama, 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
Vestavia Hills
#3Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$68,012
Cost Index
124
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.48%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
88
Business
75
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