Mobile AL vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 117,460 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.9% | 39.1% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 42.2% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 28.0% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $313,219 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 48.5% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.5% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 15.3% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 19.8% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.8 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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