Performance
Score Breakdown
Homewood
Mobile
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mobile is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% higher compared to Homewood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Homewood's average rent is
24% higher than Mobile's.
| Metric | Homewood | Mobile | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,400 | $1,132 | +24% |
| Groceries | $440 | $450 | -2% |
| Utilities | $275 | $398 | -31% |
| Transport | $80 | $120 | -33% |
| Healthcare | $625 | $250 | +150% |
| Monthly Total | $2,820 | $2,350 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 3% lower 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 Homewood is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Mobile.
| Metric | Homewood | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,695 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 71,408 idx | 77,273 idx |
| Household Income | $94,485 | $53,558 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Homewood | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 72.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Homewood has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Mobile.
Homewood scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Homewood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Homewood | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 65.0/10 | 61.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 70.00 | 55.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Homewood.
From a growth perspective, Homewood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Homewood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Homewood | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,830 | 201,367 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | % |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.10% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Homewood
Advantages
Homewood offers a high quality of life with a strong community feel and excellent local amenities.
The city boasts a low unemployment rate of 2.1% as of April 2026, indicating a robust job market.
Homewood provides convenient access to major employment centers and top-tier healthcare facilities in downtown Birmingham.
The overall cost of living is lower than the national average, despite higher housing costs compared to the broader metro area.
Homewood is noted for its walkability, allowing residents to access many local amenities on foot.
Drawbacks
Housing costs in Homewood are significantly higher than in other parts of the Birmingham metropolitan area.
The city exhibits high car dependency, with 82% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
Public transportation options are limited, with only 1% of residents relying on public transit.
Major traffic congestion can be an issue on key routes like US-280, impacting commute times.
The median household income saw a 12.8% decline in 2024, despite a high average household income.
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.
Homewood
#5Alabama, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,400
Avg Salary
$65,695
Cost Index
92
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
65.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
2.10%
Livability
82
Business
75
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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