Mobile AL vs Pittsburgh PA — 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Pittsburgh +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 39.9% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 52.9% | 22.5% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 4.2% | Pittsburgh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 19.5% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $240,538 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 47.2% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.0 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³).
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