Performance
Score Breakdown
Dothan
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dothan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to Phenix City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dothan's average rent is
60% higher than Phenix City's.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,120 | $700 | +60% |
| Groceries | $455 | $300 | +52% |
| Utilities | $190 | $150 | +27% |
| Transport | $155 | $500 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $375 | $1,000 | -63% |
| Monthly Total | $2,295 | $2,650 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 86 | 84 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dothan offers 26% higher 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
$48,500 vs $38,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $43,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,500 | $38,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,791 idx | 51,190 idx |
| Household Income | $52,100 | $43,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Dothan runs warmer on average — a 68°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Dothan comes out ahead with 223 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Dothan sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 92.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 39.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 52.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 223 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 64.00% |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dothan is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Phenix City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,612 | 38,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.70% | 1.20% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 34.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | $7.6B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Dothan
Phenix City
Advantages
Affordable housing options
Low cost of living
Growing economy
Rich history and culture
Outdoor recreational opportunities
Drawbacks
Higher crime rate
Limited public transportation options
Aging housing stock
Limited job opportunities in certain industries
Summer heat and humidity
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dothan
#18Alabama, USA
72.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,120
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
86
Sunny Days
223/yr
Avg Temp
68.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
Business
70
Phenix City
#31Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$700
Avg Salary
$43,000
Cost Index
84
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.20%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
65
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