Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 185,097 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 3.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 22.9% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.1% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 3.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $51,090 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $32,893 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $51,690 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.5% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 40.0% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 17.0% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.3% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.9% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Houston +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 65.3 in | Houston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, 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 Houston. 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX