Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 185,097 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 37.7 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 3.8% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 39.9% | Mesa + |
| Black | 4.4% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.1% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 3.1% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Mobile
$32,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Mesa +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Mobile
18.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $51,090 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $32,893 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $51,690 | Mesa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 18.9% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 51.4% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1734 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Mobile
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Mobile
14.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 40.0% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.0% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.3% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.9% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 67.4°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 65.3 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 24.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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