Performance
Score Breakdown
Alabaster
Mobile
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Alabaster is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
100% lower compared to Mobile.
Housing costs are a major driver: Alabaster's average rent is
100% lower than Mobile's.
| Metric | Alabaster | Mobile | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,132 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $398 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,350 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Alabaster | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
| Household Income | $91,357 | $53,558 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Alabaster | 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
Mobile has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Alabaster.
Mobile scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Mobile leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Alabaster | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 10.0/10 | 61.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Alabaster.
From a growth perspective, Alabaster is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Alabaster has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Alabaster | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,014 | 201,367 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.77% | % |
| Median Age | 39.6 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Alabaster
Advantages
Alabaster boasts exceptionally low violent crime rates, significantly below the national average, contributing to a strong sense of safety.
The overall cost of living in Alabaster is lower than the national average.
The median household income in Alabaster ($91,357 in 2024) is higher than both the state and national averages.
Alabaster's public schools are highly rated, making it an attractive place for families.
The city has a thriving and diverse economy with a 2.5% employment growth rate from 2023 to 2024.
Drawbacks
Alabaster has a low walkability score, meaning most errands require a car.
Public transportation is not readily available in Alabaster.
The average commute time of 30-32 minutes is longer than the national average.
A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance.
Limited nightlife and dining options compared to larger metropolitan areas.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Alabaster
#13Alabama, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
10.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.77%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
75
Business
0
Mobile
#49Alabama, 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
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