Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Mobile
185,097
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Mobile
2.1%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Mobile
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 185,097 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.7 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 3.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 39.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 38.6% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 3.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Milwaukee +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Mobile
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $51,090 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $51,690 | Milwaukee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 31.5% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 51.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Mobile
400
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 400 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1734 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Milwaukee +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 40.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 17.0% | Milwaukee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 10.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 67.4°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 65.3 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | 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
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Milwaukee +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 24.5 min | Milwaukee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Milwaukee 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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