Mobile AL vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 39.9% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 52.9% | 27.5% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $435,807 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 51.2% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Raleigh
1999
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Raleigh
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Raleigh +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Raleigh + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Raleigh
25.1 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.1 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Raleigh has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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