Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Mobile
3.8%
Mobile +
White
Flint
34.4%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Flint +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 37.7 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 3.8% | Mobile + |
| White | 34.4% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 56.6% | 52.9% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 3.1% | Flint + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $51,090 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $197,044 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 51.4% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Mobile
13.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.1% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 67.4°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 65.3 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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