Mobile AL vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 39.9% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 52.9% | 13.3% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 20.1% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $429,449 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 41.2% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Providence
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.6% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.6% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.4 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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