Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Mobile, AL
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories
Mobile
Alabama
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$48,524
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High
Population
186,316 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
Median Household Income
$51,523 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Mobile, AL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 47°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Violent crime (752.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Roanoke by $2,999/yr
Roanoke, VA
Pros
18% less violent crime than Mobile
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Households earn $2,999 more per year on average
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Mobile
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 89.4 vs 90.9 (100 = US avg)
Mobile
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Median Income
$2,999
$51,523 vs $48,524/yr
Roanoke
Violent Crime
18% lower
620.4 vs 752.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 ✓ Cheaper | 90.9 |
| Median Home Value | $158,400 ✓ Lower | $162,000 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $985 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,524 | $51,523 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.8 min | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.7:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.2% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mobile County | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.1°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.5" | 42.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,316 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.6% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Mobile's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Mobile is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories. Mobile wins 11 and Roanoke 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 Mobile to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($158,400 vs $162,000 median home), income ($48,524 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Mobile, AL and Roanoke, VA are about 652 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.