Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Mobile
52.9%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 185,097 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.7 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 3.8% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 62.9% | 52.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 3.1% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Memphis +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $51,090 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $51,690 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Mobile
$197,044
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $197,044 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Mobile
17.0%
Mobile +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 17.0% | Mobile + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Memphis +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 67.4°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 65.3 in | Memphis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 24.5 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Memphis leads in median household income at $51,211, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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