Mobile AL vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
Tuscaloosa +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Tuscaloosa +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 107,699 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 4.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
| White | 39.9% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 52.9% | 42.8% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 5.2% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $48,536 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $31,324 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $51,690 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 23.8% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $231,461 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 45.1% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Tuscaloosa
400
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 400 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1734 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 42.6% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 21.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 11.5% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Tuscaloosa +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 65.0°F | Tuscaloosa + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 55.0 in | Tuscaloosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mobile leads in median household income at $51,090, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tuscaloosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mobile scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.0%.
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