Mobile AL vs Sandy UT — 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 94,723 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 39.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 52.9% | 0.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $672,082 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Sandy
1931
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1931 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Sandy
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.2% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Sandy
24.6 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.6 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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