Mobile AL vs Oceanside CA — 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%
Oceanside, CA
California · Population: 172,542
- Median HH Income$93,724
- Median Home Price$877,452
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Oceanside
172,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Oceanside
38.1
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Oceanside
20.9%
Oceanside +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Oceanside
52.9%
Oceanside +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Oceanside
4.2%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Oceanside
7.4%
Oceanside +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Oceanside
38.5%
Oceanside +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Oceanside
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 172,542 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 38.1 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 20.9% | Oceanside + |
| White | 39.9% | 52.9% | Oceanside + |
| Black | 52.9% | 4.2% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.4% | Oceanside + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 38.5% | Oceanside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Oceanside
$93,724
Oceanside +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Oceanside
$43,094
Oceanside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Oceanside
$77,230
Oceanside +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Oceanside
5.4%
Oceanside +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Oceanside
8.1%
Oceanside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Oceanside
34.3%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $93,724 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $43,094 | Oceanside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Oceanside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 8.1% | Oceanside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 34.3% | Oceanside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Oceanside
$877,452
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Oceanside
58.5%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $877,452 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 58.5% | Oceanside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Oceanside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Oceanside
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Oceanside
26.1%
Oceanside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Oceanside
10.4%
Oceanside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Oceanside
16.9%
Oceanside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Oceanside
9.7%
Oceanside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Oceanside
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Oceanside
10.6%
Oceanside +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 26.1% | Oceanside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.4% | Oceanside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.9% | Oceanside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | Oceanside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.6% | Oceanside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Oceanside
55.3°F
Oceanside +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Oceanside
20.7 in
Oceanside +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 55.3°F | Oceanside + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 20.7 in | Oceanside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Oceanside
7.9 µg/m³
Oceanside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Oceanside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Oceanside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Oceanside
31.8 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Oceanside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 31.8 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oceanside leads in median household income at $93,724, 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 503 in Oceanside. Oceanside has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Oceanside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oceanside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.1%.
Compare More Cities
Mobile, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mobile, ALChicago, IL vs Mobile, ALHouston, TX vs Mobile, ALMobile, AL vs Phoenix, AZMobile, AL vs Philadelphia, PA