Mobile AL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Mobile
185,097
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mobile
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Mobile
37.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Mobile
3.8%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Mobile
39.9%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Mobile
2.1%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Mobile
3.1%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Mobile
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 185,097 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.9% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 52.9% | 12.1% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 3.1% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mobile
$51,090
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Mobile
$32,893
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mobile
$51,690
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mobile
31.5%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,090 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,893 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.9% | 19.8% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Mobile
51.4%
Mobile +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $197,044 | $435,532 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.4% | 42.4% | Mobile + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
400
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mobile
1734
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
40.0%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mobile
17.0%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mobile
10.2%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mobile
14.9%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.9% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 17.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
67.4°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mobile
65.3 in
Worcester
48.1 in
Worcester +
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.3 in | 48.1 in | Worcester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mobile
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mobile
24.5 min
Mobile +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 27.3 min | Mobile + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Mobile. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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