Mobile AL vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Nashville
N/A
White
Mobile
39.9%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 52.9% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.1% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Nashville
$59,097
Nashville +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,097 | Nashville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $436,355 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Nashville
2350
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 639 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2350 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Nashville
47.9 in
Nashville +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 47.9 in | Nashville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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