Mobile AL vs Torrance 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%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 95,358 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 39.9% | 34.8% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 6.1% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Torrance
5.9%
Torrance +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Torrance + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 26.2% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $1,128,110 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, 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%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Torrance
14.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.0% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Torrance
62.6°F
Torrance +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 62.6°F | Torrance + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 44.9 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 Torrance. Torrance has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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