Akron OH 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)
Akron, OH
Ohio · Population: 189,526
- Median HH Income$48,544
- Median Home Price$140,512
- Unemployment8.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Akron
189,526
Akron +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Akron
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Akron
37.2
Akron +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Akron
6.4%
Akron +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Akron
56.1%
Akron +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Akron
29.4%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Akron
4.6%
Akron +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Akron
4.1%
Akron +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Akron
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 185,097 | Akron + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Akron + |
| Foreign Born | 6.4% | 3.8% | Akron + |
| White | 56.1% | 39.9% | Akron + |
| Black | 29.4% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.1% | Akron + |
| Hispanic | 4.1% | 3.1% | Akron + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Akron
$48,544
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Akron
$29,763
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Akron
$58,300
Akron +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Akron
8.0%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Akron
22.9%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Akron
23.3%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,544 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,763 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Akron + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.0% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.9% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Akron
$140,512
Akron +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Akron
50.8%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $140,512 | $197,044 | Akron + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.8% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
319
Akron +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Akron
1866
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Akron + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
42.7%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Akron
16.5%
Akron +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Akron
20.6%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Akron
10.4%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Akron
14.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Akron
19.6%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.7% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.0% | Akron + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
50.2°F
Akron +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Akron
37.1 in
Akron +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 67.4°F | Akron + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.1 in | 65.3 in | Akron + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Akron
10.3 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Akron
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Akron
23.8 min
Akron +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Akron, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.8 min | 24.5 min | Akron + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while akron offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $140,512. On public safety, Akron is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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