City Comparison
Bessemer vs Mobile
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
Alabama, USA
View Bessemer profile
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VS
Mobile scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Bessemer
Mobile
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Bessemer | 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 | Bessemer | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $55,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Bessemer | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bessemer has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
11,000 minutes (183 hours) per year compared to Mobile.
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 | Bessemer | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | — | 20.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 61.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Bessemer is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bessemer has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Bessemer | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 0 | 201,367 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.3 | |
| Unemployment | % | 3.30% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Bessemer
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.
Bessemer
Alabama, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
Mobile
#414Alabama, USA
57.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,132
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
20.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
73
Business
70
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