Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Mobile, AL
🏆 Mobile leads 12 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Mobile
Alabama
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,524
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High
Population
186,316 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
Households earn $30,022 more per year on average
60% less violent crime than Mobile
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (3.7%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 92°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Mobile
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Mobile, AL
Pros
Homes cost $258k less ($158,400 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $487/mo less ($985 vs $1,472)
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 32°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $30,022/yr
Violent crime (752.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.5% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$30,022
$78,546 vs $48,524/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
60% lower
302.5 vs 752.0 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.5% unemployment
Mobile
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Mobile
Median Home Value
$258k less
$158,400 vs $416,500
Mobile
Summer Heat
7.7°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Mobile, AL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $158,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $985 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $48,524 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 151⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 | 80 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B- (95) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 30.2% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 89.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Mobile County |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 62.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 68.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 0.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 186,316 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 50.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 21.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 16.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Mobile's 89.4 (US average = 100).
Mobile is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Mobile leads 12 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 11 and Mobile wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Ann Arbor to Mobile or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $158,400 median home), income ($78,546 vs $48,524), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Mobile, AL are about 838 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.