Durham NC 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)
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
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
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Durham
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Durham
44.0%
Durham +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Durham
34.4%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Durham
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 288,465 | 185,097 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 37.7 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 15.3% | 3.8% | Durham + |
| White | 44.0% | 39.9% | Durham + |
| Black | 34.4% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 5.6% | 2.1% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 14.7% | 3.1% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,234 | $51,090 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,246 | $32,893 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.9% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 18.9% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.7% | 31.5% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Durham
$399,509
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,509 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.8% | 51.4% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
398
Durham +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Durham
1999
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 400 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Durham
10.7%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Durham
15.6%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 40.0% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 17.0% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.3% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 14.9% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.9°F | 67.4°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.8 in | 65.3 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Durham +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Durham
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Durham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Durham, NC | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 24.5 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Durham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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