Mobile AL vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Mobile
39.9%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 39.9% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 52.9% | 7.0% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
San Antonio
5.8%
San Antonio +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | San Antonio + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 28.7% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $251,035 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
San Antonio
15.2%
San Antonio +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.2% | San Antonio + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 24.5% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 68.5°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 26.5 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, 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 442 in San Antonio. San Antonio has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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