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City Report · AL

Dothan

Pop. 71,514·59th most expensive in Alabama·Dothan rents are up 8.3% over the past year
Median rent (all units)
$1,207/mo
Year-over-Year
+8.3%
Month-over-Month
-1.1%
vs US Median
-$758
Falling (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Dothan · $1,207
More affordable than 92% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
44/100
Fairly priced
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 3% above what Dothan's 10-year trend predicts — running hotter than its own history.

Actual rent
$1,207/mo
Expected by trend
$1,171/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Dothan's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$783
1 BR
$793
2 BR
$980
3 BR
$1,337
4 BR+
$1,513
Research median
$980/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$14,484/yr
At $1,207/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (8.3% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+8.3% YoY, -1.1% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Dothan, AL is majority owner-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 27.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
71,514
Median income
$55,792
Median age
40.2
Renters
42.9%
Age distribution
22.6%
21%
24.6%
13%
18.8%
Under 1822.6%
18–3421%
35–5424.6%
55–6413%
65+18.8%
Gender
47.3%
52.7%
Male47.3%
Female52.7%
Race & ethnicity
55.7%
35.9%
White55.7%
Black35.9%
Hispanic4.8%
Asian1.5%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
29.6%
31.4%
27.6%
No HS diploma11.4%
HS diploma29.6%
Some college31.4%
Bachelor's+27.6%
Housing tenure
57.1%
42.9%
Owner57.1%
Renter42.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2023 vs 2026

How Dothan, AL has changed in 5 years

Rent
$976 → $1,207
up 23.7%
Income
$49,203 → $55,792
up 13.4%
Population
70,318 → 71,514
up 1.7%
Renter share
41.7% → 42.9%
+1.2 pts
Bachelor's+
27% → 27.6%
+0.6 pts

The median rent in Dothan, AL stood at $976 in 2023 and currently runs about $1,207, reflecting a 23.7% increase over the period. Median household income rose from $49,203 to $55,792 between 2021 and 2024, a 13.4% shift. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.7% since 2021, moving from about 70,318 residents to roughly 71,514. Taken together, the five-year picture in Dothan, AL reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

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View Dothan rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Dothan on your salary?

At $1,207/mo, how Dothan rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Dothan rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Dothan. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Dothan

About renting in Dothan, AL

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Dothan is $1,207/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $783/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $980/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $793/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,337/mo.

At 26% of local median household income ($55,792/yr), Dothan ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 8.3% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Dothan an affordable city for renters?

Dothan is considered affordable for renters. At $1,207/mo, rent takes approximately 26% of the local median household income ($55,792/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Dothan falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Dothan?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,207/mo in Dothan. The local median household income is $55,792/yr, meaning the typical Dothan household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Dothan?

Rent in Dothan has increased 8.3% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Dothan neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Dothan are 36303 ($1,137/mo), 36305 ($1,224/mo), and 36301 ($1,252/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Dothan is $1,207/mo.

How does Dothan rent compare to other cities in Alabama?

Dothan is one of the more affordable cities in Alabama for rent, ranking #59 out of 70 tracked cities at $1,207/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Dothan?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Dothan ($1,207/mo): Daleville ($958/mo), Troy ($1,017/mo).

What percentage of Dothan residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42.9% of Dothan households are renters, while 57.1% are owner-occupied. Dothan leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Dothan rent compare to the national average?

Dothan's median rent of $1,207/mo is $758 (39%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Alabama, it ranks #59 out of 70 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
26%
AFFORDABLE

At $1,207/mo, rent takes ~26% of Dothan's median household income ($55,792/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Dothan 26%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2–5%
Run the Dothan affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Dothan, AL

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