Mobile AL vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 153,455 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 39.9% | 30.4% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 1.5% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $2,144,024 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 43.8% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.3 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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