Mobile AL vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Renton
35.0
Renton +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Renton
6.8%
Renton +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 75,721 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.0 | Renton + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 39.9% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 52.9% | 2.2% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 6.8% | Renton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Renton
45.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $765,686 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 45.2% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Renton
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.4 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
Compare More Cities
Mobile, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mobile, ALChicago, IL vs Mobile, ALHouston, TX vs Mobile, ALMobile, AL vs Phoenix, AZMobile, AL vs Philadelphia, PA