Clearwater FL 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)
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
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
Clearwater
117,075
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Clearwater
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Clearwater
46.4
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Foreign Born
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Clearwater
10.2%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Clearwater
3.6%
Clearwater +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Clearwater
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 46.4 | 37.7 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 3.8% | Clearwater + |
| White | 70.3% | 39.9% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 10.2% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 2.1% | Clearwater + |
| Hispanic | 17.1% | 3.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Clearwater
$65,328
Clearwater +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,440 | $51,090 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,934 | $32,893 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Clearwater + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.4% | 18.9% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.5% | 31.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Clearwater
$341,503
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,503 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 51.4% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
13.5%
Clearwater +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.7%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
15.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.3% | 40.0% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.3% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.9% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
73.8°F
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Clearwater
54.7 in
Clearwater +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.8°F | 67.4°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.7 in | 65.3 in | Clearwater + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Clearwater
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Clearwater
25.3 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Clearwater, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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