Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Huntsville +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 185,097 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 37.7 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 3.8% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.9% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 3.1% | Huntsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Mobile
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $51,090 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $32,893 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 18.9% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 31.5% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 51.4% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Mobile
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Mobile
1734
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 17.0% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.3% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 10.2% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Huntsville +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 67.4°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 65.3 in | Huntsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 24.5 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, 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 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Huntsville, AL vs New York, NYHuntsville, AL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Huntsville, ALHouston, TX vs Huntsville, ALHuntsville, AL vs Phoenix, AZHuntsville, AL vs Philadelphia, PA