Mobile AL vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Newark
46.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 39.9% | 16.5% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 46.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $48,416 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $25,509 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 10.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 24.7% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 17.4% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $482,675 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 24.1% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Newark
14.6%
Newark +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Newark
14.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.6% | Newark + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.0% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 23.4% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.3% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.2% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Newark
46.3 in
Newark +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 54.9°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 46.3 in | Newark + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 35.9 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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