Mobile AL vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 176,666 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.7 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 39.9% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 52.9% | 1.6% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 31.4% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $438,754 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3001 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 41.4% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.6% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Salem
24.5 min
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.5 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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