Abilene TX vs Mobile AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Abilene +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Abilene +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 37.7 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.8% | Abilene + |
| White | 66.6% | 39.9% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.1% | Abilene + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 3.1% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Abilene +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $51,090 | Abilene + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 5.9% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 18.9% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.4% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Abilene +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 40.0% | Abilene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.0% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.9% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Abilene +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Abilene +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 67.4°F | Abilene + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 65.3 in | Abilene + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 24.5 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene leads in median household income at $62,720, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Abilene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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