Mobile AL vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 39.9% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 52.9% | 10.5% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $496,966 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3409 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.7% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.8% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 31.1 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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