Performance
Score Breakdown
Mobile
Gadsden
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Gadsden is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Mobile.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mobile's average rent is
35% higher than Gadsden's.
| Metric | Mobile | Gadsden | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,132 | $839 | +35% |
| Groceries | $450 | $589 | -24% |
| Utilities | $398 | $271 | +47% |
| Transport | $120 | $400 | -70% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $150 | +67% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,249 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Mobile delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Mobile is estimated at
$55,000 vs $29,004 in Gadsden.
| Metric | Mobile | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,742 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $29,004 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,273 idx | 65,579 idx |
| Household Income | $53,558 | $40,345 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Mobile | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 75.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Mobile has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Gadsden.
For walkability, Mobile leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mobile | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 25.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 6.1x the population of Gadsden.
From a growth perspective, Mobile is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Mobile has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mobile | Gadsden |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,367 | 33,219 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.6 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 3.50% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Mobile
Advantages
The cost of living in Mobile is 12% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Mobile County experienced significant job growth, adding 3,400 jobs from June 2024 to June 2025.
The average commute time of 21.9 minutes is shorter than the U.S. average, improving daily travel.
Mobile Infirmary was recognized among Southern Alabama's Best Regional Hospitals in 2024-25 by U.S. News & World Report.
The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, being the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States.
Drawbacks
Mobile's overall crime rate is 67% above the national average, with violent crimes 109% higher.
The city's population is currently declining at an annual rate of -0.61% as of 2026.
Utility prices in Mobile are about 5% higher than the national average.
Public transportation usage is very low, with only 0.8% of the population taking mass transit.
The poverty rate in Mobile was 18.4% in 2024, higher than the national average.
Gadsden
Advantages
The cost of living in Gadsden is 15% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable place to reside.
Housing costs are significantly lower than the U.S. average, with median home values at $167,100 in 2024 and average 1-bedroom rent at $796 in July 2026.
Gadsden boasts natural attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and access to the Coosa River, offering abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Recent major investments, such as Minth Group Limited's $430 million project, are creating over 1,300 new jobs in the automotive manufacturing sector.
Healthcare costs in Gadsden are approximately 23.4% to 24% lower than the national average.
Drawbacks
Gadsden's population is projected to decline by -0.44% annually in 2026.
The city has a higher crime rate, with overall crime 49% above the national average and violent crime 62% higher.
Gadsden is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 25 and limited public transit options.
The median household income of $40,345 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Utilities, particularly energy bills, are reported to be higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Mobile
#50Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,132
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
61.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
Gadsden
#101Alabama, USA
59.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$839
Avg Salary
$55,742
Cost Index
85
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
25.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
59
Business
60
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