Mobile AL vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Mobile +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 49.2 | Mobile + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 39.9% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 52.9% | 2.0% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $858,307 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Scottsdale
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 72.5°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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