Mobile AL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Mobile +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Wilmington
52.3%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 71,124 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 39.9% | 32.4% | Mobile + |
| Black | 52.9% | 52.3% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.6% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Wilmington
$55,269
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $55,269 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 23.2% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $327,117 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 46.0% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Mobile +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1991 | Mobile + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Mobile +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Wilmington
16.0%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Mobile +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Wilmington
13.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 41.0% | Mobile + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 16.0% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.4% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 12.7% | Mobile + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.5% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.4% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Wilmington
49.3 in
Wilmington +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 49.3 in | Wilmington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | 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
Mobile +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 25.0 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $55,269, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington 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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