Mobile is a mid-sized city of 186,316 in Alabama, with a median household income of $48,524
and a 6.5% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Mobile stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include a higher-than-average crime index, an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Mobile is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Mobile city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.4
Mobile's overall cost of living index is 89.4,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Mobile costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Mobile, AL
National Avg
Median Home Value
$158,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$985
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
50.6%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$48,524
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Higher than Average
Mobile's violent crime rate is 752.0 per 100,000 residents
— 98% higher than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
752.0 /100k
Property Crime
1674.5 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Mobile is served primarily by Mobile County.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Mobile, AL
National Avg
School District
Mobile County
—
Elementary Schools
53
—
Middle Schools
17
—
High Schools
17
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
17.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
30.2%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
89.6%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Mobile sees average highs of 62.1°F in January
and 91.7°F in July,
with 68.5 inches of annual precipitation
and 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Mobile's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Mobile roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $158,400 and median rent is $985/month.
Mobile's violent crime rate is 752.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1674.5 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Mobile are operated by Mobile County.
The district has 53 elementary, 17 middle, and 17 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. 30.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Mobile, AL has a population of 186,316, a median household income of $48,524, and an unemployment rate of 6.5%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Mobile averages 62.1°F in January and 91.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 68.5 inches
with about 0.2 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Mobile, AL is covered by 16 ZIP codes: 36608, 36605, 36693, 36618, 36582, 36606, 36609, 36695, 36617, 36602, 36603, 36615, 36607, 36604, 36688, 36652.
The population of Mobile, Alabama is 186,316 with a median age of 37.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Mobile: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $158,400, median household income $48,524, crime index 151 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Mobile side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
