Mobile AL vs Norman OK — 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%
Norman, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 128,714
- Median HH Income$65,060
- Median Home Price$264,711
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Norman
7.2%
Norman +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Norman
4.2%
Norman +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Norman
9.0%
Norman +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Norman
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 128,714 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 31.6 | Norman + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 7.2% | Norman + |
| White | 39.9% | 73.0% | Norman + |
| Black | 52.9% | 5.1% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.2% | Norman + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 9.0% | Norman + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Norman
$65,060
Norman +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Norman
$37,897
Norman +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Norman
$57,929
Norman +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Norman
17.0%
Norman +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $65,060 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $37,897 | Norman + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $57,929 | Norman + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Norman + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 17.0% | Norman + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 46.2% | Norman + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Norman
$264,711
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Norman
52.7%
Norman +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $264,711 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 52.7% | Norman + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Norman
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Norman
2375
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 429 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2375 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Norman
35.8%
Norman +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Norman
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Norman
12.8%
Norman +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 35.8% | Norman + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.8% | Norman + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.2% | Norman + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.8% | Norman + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Norman
60.2°F
Norman +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Norman
38.9 in
Norman +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 60.2°F | Norman + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 38.9 in | Norman + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Norman, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.2 min | Norman + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norman leads in median household income at $65,060, 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 429 in Norman. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Norman has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norman scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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