Athens GA 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Athens +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Athens +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Athens +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 37.7 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 3.8% | Athens + |
| White | 57.6% | 39.9% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 2.1% | Athens + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 3.1% | Athens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Athens +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Athens +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $51,090 | Athens + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $51,690 | Athens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 31.5% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 400 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 40.0% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.0% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Athens +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Athens +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 67.4°F | Athens + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 65.3 in | Athens + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 24.5 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Athens leads in median household income at $51,655, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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