Mobile AL vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
South Bend
8.9%
South Bend +
White
Mobile
39.9%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 102,866 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 8.9% | South Bend + |
| White | 39.9% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 52.9% | 24.4% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.7% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $29,511 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 22.6% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 29.4% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
South Bend
39.7%
South Bend +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
South Bend
15.2%
South Bend +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
South Bend
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 39.7% | South Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.2% | South Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.6% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.3% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.2% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
South Bend
49.8°F
South Bend +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 49.8°F | South Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, South Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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