Dayton 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)
Dayton, OH
Ohio · Population: 136,741
- Median HH Income$43,454
- Median Home Price$138,867
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+20.7%
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
Dayton
136,741
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dayton
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Dayton
34.2
Dayton +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Dayton
5.0%
Dayton +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Dayton
51.3%
Dayton +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Dayton
38.0%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Dayton
1.2%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Dayton
5.5%
Dayton +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Dayton
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,741 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.7 | Dayton + |
| Foreign Born | 5.0% | 3.8% | Dayton + |
| White | 51.3% | 39.9% | Dayton + |
| Black | 38.0% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.2% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 5.5% | 3.1% | Dayton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dayton
$43,454
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Dayton
$26,381
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dayton
$58,300
Dayton +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Dayton
9.7%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Dayton
27.1%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dayton
20.7%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,454 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,381 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $51,690 | Dayton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.1% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.7% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dayton
$138,867
Dayton +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Dayton
48.2%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,867 | $197,044 | Dayton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.2% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
319
Dayton +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dayton
1866
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 400 | Dayton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
42.9%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dayton
17.6%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dayton
21.6%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dayton
11.2%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dayton
14.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dayton
20.5%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.9% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.6% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.5% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
54.1°F
Dayton +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dayton
40.3 in
Dayton +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1°F | 67.4°F | Dayton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.3 in | 65.3 in | Dayton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dayton
10.3 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dayton
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dayton, 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
Dayton
22.2 min
Dayton +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Dayton, OH | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 24.5 min | Dayton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while dayton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,867. On public safety, Dayton 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, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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