Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 3.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 39.9% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $51,090 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $51,690 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 51.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 65.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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