Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 185,097 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 3.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 39.9% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $51,090 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $32,893 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $51,690 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 31.5% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 40.0% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 67.4°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 65.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, MO vs New York, NYKansas City, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, MOHouston, TX vs Kansas City, MOKansas City, MO vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, MO vs Philadelphia, PA