Mobile AL vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
New York
35.9%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.0 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 39.9% | 35.9% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 22.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
New York
17.4%
New York +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.7% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 17.4% | New York + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $816,078 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 32.8% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
New York
1736
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.6% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 44.2 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, 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 434 in New York. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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