Mobile AL vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Mobile
39.9%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 39.9% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 52.9% | 5.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $1,006,261 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 47.6% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, 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 Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.9 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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