Mobile AL vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 39.9% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 52.9% | 9.7% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Mobile +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 30.9% | Mobile + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $204,104 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.7% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.9% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.4% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, 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 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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