What is the cost of living in Mobile, AL?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Mobile has an overall cost of living index of 90, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Alabama, Mobile has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Alabama's index of 91.
The standard of living in Mobile ranks as #50 most affordable out of the 116 places we measured in Alabama. By definition, that implies Mobile ranks as the #66 most expensive place in the Heart of Dixie.
For more reading on life in Mobile, check out:
Mobile Cost Of Living Vs. Alabama
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Mobile. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Mobile is 98.
The Groceries index in Mobile is 93.
The Health index in Mobile is 80.
The Housing index in Mobile is 95.
The Transportation index in Mobile is 99.
The Utilities index in Mobile is 99.
| Living Expense | Mobile | Alabama | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 90 | 91 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 95 | 100 |
| Groceries | 93 | 96 | 100 |
| Health | 80 | 74 | 100 |
| Housing | 95 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 99 | 95 | 100 |
| Utilities | 99 | 95 | 100 |
Mobile Cost Of Living Compared To Alabama Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Alabama, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Mobile Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Mobile, AL Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Alabama, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Mobile is $194,563.
The Median Rent in Mobile is $1,068.
The Median Income in Mobile is $53,558.
The Home Value To Income in Mobile is 3.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Mobile is 0.24x.
Mobile, AL Costs By Category
Detailed Mobile Services costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Mobile Groceries costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Mobile Health costs vs. Alabama
Detailed Mobile Transportation costs vs. Alabama
Mobile SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Mobile
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Mobile. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Daphne, AL has a cost of living index of 102, 1.1x Mobile.
Fairhope, AL has a cost of living index of 119, 1.3x Mobile.
Prichard, AL has a cost of living index of 80, 0.9x Mobile.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daphne, AL | 29,453 | 102 | 1.1x |
| Fairhope, AL | 24,190 | 119 | 1.3x |
| Prichard, AL | 18,961 | 80 | 0.9x |
| Tillmans Corner, AL | 17,677 | 89 | 1.0x |
| Saraland, AL | 16,404 | 91 | 1.0x |
| Spanish Fort, AL | 10,662 | 106 | 1.2x |
| Satsuma, AL | 6,822 | 97 | 1.1x |
| Chickasaw, AL | 6,332 | 85 | 0.9x |
| Semmes, AL | 5,626 | 93 | 1.0x |
