Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
3.8%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 185,097 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 37.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 3.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.9% | - |
| Black | N/A | 52.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.1% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.1% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $51,090 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $32,893 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $51,690 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 18.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.5% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 51.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 400 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 17.0% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.3% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.9% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 67.4°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 65.3 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 24.5 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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