Cost of Living in Mobile, AL

Population 185,097 · Alabama · Data vintage 2023

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Mobile lands reasonably close to national benchmarks on most cost indicators, with a median home value of $170,000 — 44% below the US figure. That makes it a useful reference point for comparing with more extreme markets in Alabama.

Cost Overview

Housing 56

Rent 78

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Mobile

The median home value in Mobile is $170,300 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,029/month, 22% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $51,090/year is 31% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.0%, above the national average of 4.8%. Alabama's top state income tax rate is 5.0% and the combined sales tax is 9.2%. Overall, Mobile has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$170,300

44% below avg

Zillow Home Value

$191,839

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,029/mo

22% below avg

Zillow Rent

$1,264/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

13.8x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

0.4%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$646

1 BR

$688

2 BR

$857

3 BR

$1,132

4 BR

$1,309

Owner-occupied 51.4%

Renter-occupied 48.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,029

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $1,643/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

24.6 min

9% below avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

8.1%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

81.2%

Carpooled

7.6%

Public transit

0.7%

Walked

1.4%

Bicycle

0.1%

Work from home

8.1%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.0%

Total Sales Tax 9.2%

State rate 4.0%

Avg local rate 5.2%

Property Tax 0.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$51,090

31% below avg

Per Capita Income

$32,893

Unemployment Rate

6.0%

24% above avg

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Labor Force Participation

59.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 20.0%

Graduate degree 11.5%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.7

Male median age 35.8

Female median age 39.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good

56.2%

Good air days/yr

108

Max AQI recorded

257

PM2.5 days

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mobile, AL?

Mobile has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Mobile, AL?

The median gross rent in Mobile is $1,029 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Mobile?

The median home value in Mobile is $170,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Mobile?

The median household income in Mobile is $51,090 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Mobile, AL?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Mobile is 9.2%. The Alabama state income tax top rate is 5.0%.

Is Mobile, AL affordable?

Yes, Mobile is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

Mobile at a Glance

Population: 185,097
Median Income: $51,090
Home Value: $170,300
Median Rent: $1,029/mo
Unemployment: 6.0%
Sales Tax: 9.2%

View all cities in Alabama →

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