Mobile AL vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 39.9% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 52.9% | 7.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $468,328 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 41.6% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 450 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2150 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.7% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 18.3% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Mobile +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 71.3°F | Mobile + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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