Mobile AL vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 39.9% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 52.9% | 37.5% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $46,628 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $30,451 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 26.6% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 29.9% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $241,627 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 37.2% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Rochester
1736
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 434 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1736 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Rochester
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.9% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.3% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.6% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, 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 434 in Rochester. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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