El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Mobile
3.8%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 185,097 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 37.7 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 3.8% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 3.6% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 3.1% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $51,090 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 18.9% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 51.4% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
El Paso +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 40.0% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 17.0% | El Paso + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.3% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 67.4°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 65.3 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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