Mobile AL vs Odessa TX — 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%
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Odessa
114,080
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Odessa
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Odessa
51.9%
Odessa +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Odessa
6.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Odessa
1.9%
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Odessa
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 114,080 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 31.0 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 14.5% | Odessa + |
| White | 39.9% | 51.9% | Odessa + |
| Black | 52.9% | 6.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.9% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 61.2% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Odessa
5.5%
Odessa +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Odessa
18.3%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $73,030 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $35,655 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Odessa + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 14.4% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 18.3% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Odessa
$253,423
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $253,423 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Odessa
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Odessa
2339
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Odessa
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Odessa
25.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Odessa
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 39.4% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.9% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.0% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 25.4% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.0% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Odessa
65.6°F
Odessa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 65.6°F | Odessa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 13.5 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
Odessa
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Odessa
23.7 min
Odessa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Odessa, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.7 min | Odessa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, 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 442 in Odessa. Odessa has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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