Mobile AL vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Mobile
39.9%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 36.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 39.9% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 52.9% | 43.1% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 19.8% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 45.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 501 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2418 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.8% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.9% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | 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
Mobile +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 24.0 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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