Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Birmingham +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Birmingham +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 185,097 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 37.7 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 3.8% | Birmingham + |
| White | 25.6% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 67.1% | 52.9% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 3.1% | Birmingham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Mobile
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $197,044 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Mobile
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Mobile
1734
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Birmingham +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 67.4°F | Birmingham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 65.3 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.5 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Birmingham. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Birmingham, AL vs New York, NYBirmingham, AL vs Los Angeles, CABirmingham, AL vs Chicago, ILBirmingham, AL vs Houston, TXBirmingham, AL vs Phoenix, AZBirmingham, AL vs Philadelphia, PA