Performance
Score Breakdown
Birmingham
Mobile
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Birmingham is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
17% lower compared to Mobile.
Housing costs are a major driver: Birmingham's average rent is
74% higher than Mobile's.
| Metric | Birmingham | Mobile | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,810 | $1,039 | +74% |
| Groceries | $0 | $429 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $218 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $150 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $351 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,187 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Birmingham offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Birmingham delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
| Metric | Birmingham | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $60,834 | $54,496 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,130 idx | 61,231 idx |
| Household Income | $46,051 | $53,558 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Birmingham | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Birmingham scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Birmingham leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Birmingham | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 23 min |
| Transit Score | 46.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 85.0/10 | 62.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | ||
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Birmingham is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Birmingham | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 196,357 | 201,367 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Birmingham
Advantages
Birmingham boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average.
The city has a robust and diversifying job market, particularly in healthcare, finance, and technology.
Birmingham offers a nationally recognized culinary scene with numerous acclaimed restaurants.
The median home value in Birmingham is considerably lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Birmingham has a high walkability score, indicating many pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Birmingham's crime rates are significantly higher than the Alabama average.
The median rent in Birmingham is 56% above the national median.
Public transportation usage is low, with most residents relying on personal vehicles.
Assisted living expenses in Birmingham are exceptionally high compared to state and national averages.
The city has experienced a population decrease in recent decades.
Mobile
Advantages
The cost of living in Mobile is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Housing expenses are significantly lower than the national average, with median home values at $193,300 in 2024.
The average one-way commute time of 22.8 minutes is shorter than the U.S. average.
Mobile boasts a rich cultural heritage and is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America, offering vibrant traditions and festivals.
The city provides ample outdoor recreational opportunities with access to the Mobile-Tensaw River, golf courses, and nearby beaches.
Drawbacks
Mobile's population is currently experiencing a slight decline, with an annual rate of -0.61% in 2026.
Healthcare costs in Mobile are reported to be 12% higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a low Transit Score of 20.
Utility prices in Mobile are slightly higher than the national average.
Some reports indicate higher crime rates compared to the Alabama average, though specific safety scores are inconsistent.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Birmingham
#30Alabama, USA
71.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,810
Avg Salary
$60,834
Cost Index
88
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
46.0/10
Walkability
85.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
67
Business
0
Mobile
#19Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,039
Avg Salary
$54,496
Cost Index
89
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
62.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
73
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Birmingham and Mobile.
Open Cost Calculator