Mobile AL vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 39.9% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 52.9% | 35.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 23.2% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $293,664 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 39.5% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.2% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.7% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 67.6°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 58.1 in | Tallahassee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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