Mobile AL vs Modesto CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 39.9% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 52.9% | 4.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.3% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 20.3% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $447,353 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.0% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.0% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Modesto
63.7°F
Modesto +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 63.7°F | Modesto + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 30.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 503 in Modesto. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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