Mobile AL vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 39.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 52.9% | 2.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $400,636 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.6% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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