Performance
Score Breakdown
Dothan
Phenix City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phenix City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% higher compared to Dothan.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,242 | $1,174 | +6% |
| Groceries | $375 | $350 | +7% |
| Utilities | $278 | $180 | +54% |
| Transport | $375 | $360 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $256 | $250 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,526 | $2,314 | +9% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Dothan offers 6% 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
$64,000 vs $50,000 in Phenix City.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $48,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 58,621 idx | 53,333 idx |
| Household Income | $55,792 | $50,053 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 66.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Phenix City 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 | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 30.0/10 |
| Walkability | 30.0/10 | 24.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Dothan is the larger city
— approximately 1.9x the population of Phenix City.
From a growth perspective, Dothan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phenix City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Dothan | Phenix City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 72,242 | 38,282 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 1.00% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 2.80% |
| 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.
Phenix City
Advantages
The cost of living in Phenix City is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are notably lower, with a median home sale price of $227,000 in May 2026, and average rent around $1,174 per month.
The city offers free fixed-route bus services through Phenix City Express, providing accessible public transportation within city limits and to Columbus, GA.
New manufacturing investments, such as Sierra Pacific Industries, are creating hundreds of jobs and contributing to economic growth.
Phenix City provides access to a larger metropolitan area (Columbus, GA) for expanded job opportunities, healthcare, and entertainment.
Drawbacks
Phenix City has a high crime rate, with a total crime rate 100% higher than the national average, impacting overall safety.
The city's walkability score is low (24/100), indicating a high reliance on personal vehicles for daily activities.
Employment experienced a decline of -3.15% from 2023 to 2024, suggesting a challenging job market despite new investments.
The poverty rate in Phenix City is high at 24.5% as of 2024.
Traffic congestion in the Columbus-Phenix City area leads to an average of 26 hours of delay per auto commuter annually.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Dothan
#85Alabama, 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
Phenix City
#91Alabama, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,174
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
24.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
65
Business
58
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