Mobile AL vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Norfolk
7.7%
Norfolk +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Norfolk
39.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Norfolk
9.9%
Norfolk +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 235,037 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 7.7% | Norfolk + |
| White | 39.9% | 44.0% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 52.9% | 39.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.7% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 9.9% | Norfolk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Norfolk
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Norfolk
45.7%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $310,519 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 45.7% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Norfolk
39.9%
Norfolk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 39.9% | Norfolk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.4% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.9% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Norfolk
60.6°F
Norfolk +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Norfolk
50.8 in
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 60.6°F | Norfolk + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 50.8 in | Norfolk + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.4 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norfolk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.9%.
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