Mobile AL vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Richmond
34.5%
Richmond +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Richmond
21.4%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Richmond
17.3%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Richmond
13.1%
Richmond +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 115,396 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 34.5% | Richmond + |
| White | 39.9% | 21.4% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Richmond
$90,038
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Richmond
$41,898
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Richmond
$77,230
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Richmond
13.7%
Richmond +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Richmond
32.6%
Richmond +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $90,038 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $41,898 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 13.7% | Richmond + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 32.6% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Richmond
$608,357
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Richmond
52.5%
Richmond +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $608,357 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 52.5% | Richmond + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Richmond
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Richmond
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Richmond
32.9%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Richmond
12.9%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Richmond
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Richmond
11.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 32.9% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.9% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.8% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.9% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Richmond
24.9 in
Richmond +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 24.9 in | Richmond + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 37.7 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $90,038, 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 503 in Richmond. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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