City Comparison
Dothan vs Defu
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Defu scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Dothan
Defu
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Dothan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Defu.
Housing costs are a major driver: Dothan's average rent is
31% lower than Defu's.
| Metric | Dothan | Defu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,242 | $1,800 | -31% |
| Groceries | $375 | $450 | -17% |
| Utilities | $278 | $180 | +54% |
| Transport | $375 | $120 | +213% |
| Healthcare | $256 | $250 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,526 | $2,800 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Defu offers 4% 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 $55,000 in Defu.
| Metric | Dothan | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $53,308 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,621 idx | 56,114 idx |
| Household Income | $55,792 | $53,308 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dothan | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 80.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Dothan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Defu.
Defu scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Defu leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Dothan | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 70.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 60.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Defu is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Dothan.
From a growth perspective, Defu is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Defu has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dothan | Defu |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,242 | 226,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 40.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 1.90% |
| 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.
Defu
Advantages
Excellent public transportation network with MRT and bus services connecting residents island-wide.
High safety standards and low crime rates, contributing to a secure living environment.
Abundant amenities including shopping malls, diverse dining options, parks, and community facilities.
Proximity to Defu Industrial Estate offers employment opportunities in manufacturing and logistics sectors.
Mature residential town with a strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing, compared to many other global cities.
Defu itself is primarily an industrial estate, lacking residential amenities and character.
Commute times to the central business district can still be significant despite good transport links.
Aging population demographic may present future challenges for social services and healthcare demand.
Limited availability of certain specialized services directly within the immediate Defu area.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dothan
#160Alabama, USA
41.9 / 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
Defu
#9North-East Region, Singapore
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$53,308
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
1.90%
Livability
75
Business
65
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Dothan and Defu.
Open Cost Calculator