Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Columbia +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Columbia +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 37.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 3.8% | Columbia + |
| White | 49.9% | 39.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 3.1% | Columbia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Columbia +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $51,090 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $32,893 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $51,690 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 31.5% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 40.0% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 17.0% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 14.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Columbia +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 67.4°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 65.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Columbia +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Columbia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 24.5 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Columbia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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