Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Detroit +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Detroit
11.7%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Detroit +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 185,097 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 37.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 3.8% | Detroit + |
| White | 11.7% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 76.8% | 52.9% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 3.1% | Detroit + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $197,044 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 67.4°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 65.3 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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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