Mobile AL vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 221,774 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 39.9% | 27.6% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 11.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $63,988 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $23,980 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 19.5% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 12.8% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $492,059 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 48.5% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
San Bernardino
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, 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%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
San Bernardino
13.6%
San Bernardino +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
San Bernardino
15.1%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.0% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 20.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 30.7 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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