Mobile AL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 141,925 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 39.9% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 52.9% | 20.4% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 2.0% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $28,819 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 24.0% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 28.6% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 48.9% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 442 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2339 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.4% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 20.4% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.2% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.1% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Waco
66.6°F
Waco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 66.6°F | Waco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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