Cincinnati 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 185,097 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 37.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 3.8% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 39.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 3.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $51,090 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $32,893 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 31.5% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 40.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 17.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.2% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Cincinnati +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 67.4°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 65.3 in | Cincinnati + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Cincinnati, 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
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Cincinnati 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, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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