Mobile AL vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 135,983 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 39.9% | 36.5% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 17.1% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $26,955 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 11.6% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 20.0% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 12.4% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $397,983 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.9% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 13.0% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.8% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 41.6 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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