Lakeland FL 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)
Lakeland, FL
Florida · Population: 82,506
- Median HH Income$60,465
- Median Home Price$312,001
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+26.8%
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
Lakeland
82,506
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lakeland
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Lakeland
48.4
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Foreign Born
Lakeland
12.9%
Lakeland +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Lakeland
74.1%
Lakeland +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Lakeland
8.8%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Lakeland
3.7%
Lakeland +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Lakeland
14.4%
Lakeland +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Lakeland
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 82,506 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 48.4 | 37.7 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 12.9% | 3.8% | Lakeland + |
| White | 74.1% | 39.9% | Lakeland + |
| Black | 8.8% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.1% | Lakeland + |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 3.1% | Lakeland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lakeland
$60,465
Lakeland +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Lakeland
$36,322
Lakeland +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lakeland
$65,328
Lakeland +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Lakeland
4.3%
Lakeland +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Lakeland
12.0%
Lakeland +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lakeland
26.8%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,465 | $51,090 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,322 | $32,893 | Lakeland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $51,690 | Lakeland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | Lakeland + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.9% | Lakeland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.8% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lakeland
$312,001
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Lakeland
61.1%
Lakeland +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $312,001 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.1% | 51.4% | Lakeland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
324
Lakeland +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lakeland
1453
Lakeland +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 400 | Lakeland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1734 | Lakeland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
38.9%
Lakeland +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
13.3%
Lakeland +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lakeland
18.3%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
16.4%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.9%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lakeland
14.1%
Lakeland +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.9% | 40.0% | Lakeland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 17.0% | Lakeland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.9% | Lakeland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
72.6°F
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lakeland
54.8 in
Lakeland +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.6°F | 67.4°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8 in | 65.3 in | Lakeland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lakeland
7.2 µg/m³
Lakeland +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lakeland
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Lakeland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lakeland
25.6 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Lakeland, FL | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakeland leads in median household income at $60,465, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Lakeland is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Lakeland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lakeland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakeland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.9%.
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