Mobile AL vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 39.9% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 52.9% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $427,121 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.6% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.0 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
Compare More Cities
Mobile, AL vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mobile, ALChicago, IL vs Mobile, ALHouston, TX vs Mobile, ALMobile, AL vs Phoenix, AZMobile, AL vs Philadelphia, PA