Mobile AL vs New Orleans LA — 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%
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
New Orleans
38.4
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
New Orleans
6.6%
New Orleans +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
New Orleans
31.6%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
New Orleans
2.8%
New Orleans +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
New Orleans
7.9%
New Orleans +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
New Orleans
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 376,035 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.4 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 6.6% | New Orleans + |
| White | 39.9% | 31.6% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 55.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.8% | New Orleans + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 7.9% | New Orleans + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
New Orleans
$55,339
New Orleans +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
New Orleans
7.8%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
New Orleans
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $55,339 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $39,698 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $55,297 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.8% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 22.6% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 41.9% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
New Orleans
$245,988
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
New Orleans
50.5%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $245,988 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 50.5% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
New Orleans
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
New Orleans
2824
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 643 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2824 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
New Orleans
15.1%
New Orleans +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
New Orleans
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
New Orleans
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
New Orleans
15.5%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 34.0% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.1% | New Orleans + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.4% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.7% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.7% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.5% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
New Orleans
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Mobile +
New Orleans
66.6 in
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 66.6 in | Mobile + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
New Orleans
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | 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
Mobile +
New Orleans
24.6 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.6 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Orleans leads in median household income at $55,339, 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 643 in New Orleans. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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