Mobile, Alabama
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Mobile.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Mobile?
For relocators asking how much Mobile costs: the housing index sits at 66 versus 100 nationally, with homes near $170,300 and rents near $1,029. Local median income is about $51,090 and unemployment recently ran 4.4% (U.S. 4.2%). Commutes average 23 minutes. Official citywide FBI crime rates are currently unavailable, so treat safety as a neighborhood-level check.
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 66U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $170,300U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,029U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $51,090U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.4%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- UnavailableFBI gap
- Summer high
- 91°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Mobile compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 201,367City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $51,090Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year35% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 66ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year34% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $170,300City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year44% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,029City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year24% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.4%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3229% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Property crime rate
- UnavailableFBI CDE gap
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates - Summer high
- 91°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 45°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals11.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 60.5 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals83% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 232As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals13% below U.S. avgU.S. 268
Population trend
Mobile grew 3.5% from 194,577 in 2010 to 201,367 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Mobile expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Mobile runs 34 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 66 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $170,300 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,029 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Mobile?
Budget first around $1,029/month rent or $170,300 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $170,300
- Median rent $1,029/month
- Median household income $51,090
What is the job market like in Mobile?
Labor-market context for Mobile: unemployment 4.4% and median income $51,090. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.4% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $51,090
How long is the typical commute in Mobile?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Mobile. Walk Score estimates around 32 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 32/100
Is Mobile safer than similar U.S. cities?
Citywide FBI rates are marked unavailable here — do not infer safety from a placeholder index. Neighborhood due diligence is required.
- FBI citywide rates: data unavailable
What is the climate like year-round in Mobile?
Mobile's climate profile: 91°F summer peaks, 45°F winter mornings, 60.5" annual rainfall, and 232 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 91°F
- Winter low 45°F
- 60.5 in rain · 232 sunny days
Relocators eyeing Mobile, Alabama will find roughly 201,367 residents within city limits. Households here report a median income near $51,090; our housing-derived cost index is about 66 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs). Entry home prices around $170,300 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Gulf Coast humidity and inland pine hills shape day-to-day living here. With about 60.5 inches of rain a year, wet-season drainage and mold checks are worth asking about. Commutes average near 23 minutes one-way, with walkability near 32/100. BLS LAUS puts recent unemployment around 4.4% for the surrounding county. FBI Crime Data Explorer did not return usable agency rates here — verify recent local PD reports block by block.
Mobile is compact enough that a single wrong neighborhood choice is easy to feel day to day — visit at commute hour before signing. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Mobile with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Mobile city, 1600000US0150000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Mobile County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: data unavailable — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 CDE monthly rates
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013838 MOBILE DWTN AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10