Mobile AL vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Portland
37.5
Portland +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Mobile +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 68,505 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.5 | Portland + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 39.9% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 52.9% | 9.0% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 3.1% | Mobile + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $561,069 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 46.7% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.8% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.3% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Portland
47.3 in
Portland +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 47.3 in | Portland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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