Mobile AL vs Murrieta 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%
Murrieta, CA
California · Population: 84,304
- Median HH Income$158,461
- Median Home Price$690,322
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+69.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Murrieta
84,304
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Murrieta
46.0
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Murrieta
15.9%
Murrieta +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Murrieta
79.2%
Murrieta +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Murrieta
0.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Murrieta
8.1%
Murrieta +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Murrieta
10.1%
Murrieta +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 84,304 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 46.0 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 15.9% | Murrieta + |
| White | 39.9% | 79.2% | Murrieta + |
| Black | 52.9% | 0.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.1% | Murrieta + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 10.1% | Murrieta + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Murrieta
$158,461
Murrieta +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Murrieta
$113,918
Murrieta +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Murrieta
$77,230
Murrieta +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Murrieta
4.4%
Murrieta +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Murrieta
7.3%
Murrieta +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Murrieta
69.6%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $158,461 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $113,918 | Murrieta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Murrieta + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Murrieta + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 7.3% | Murrieta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 69.6% | Murrieta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Murrieta
$690,322
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Murrieta
53.1%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $690,322 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 53.1% | Murrieta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Murrieta
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Murrieta
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, 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%
Murrieta
33.4%
Murrieta +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Murrieta
17.0%
Murrieta +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Murrieta
7.5%
Murrieta +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Murrieta
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Murrieta
10.0%
Murrieta +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 33.4% | Murrieta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.0% | Murrieta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.5% | Murrieta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.6% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.0% | Murrieta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Murrieta
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Murrieta
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Murrieta
7.9 µg/m³
Murrieta +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Murrieta
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Murrieta + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Murrieta
24.9 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Murrieta, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.9 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Murrieta leads in median household income at $158,461, 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 Murrieta. Murrieta has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Murrieta has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Murrieta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.4%.
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