Mobile AL vs Plano 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 39.3 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 39.9% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 52.9% | 9.0% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $507,575 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, 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%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Plano
10.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.3% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.4% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, TX | 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
Mobile +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, 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
Mobile +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.6 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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