Performance
Score Breakdown
Huntsville
Mobile
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mobile is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Huntsville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Huntsville's average rent is
34% higher than Mobile's.
| Metric | Huntsville | Mobile | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,522 | $1,132 | +34% |
| Groceries | $701 | $450 | +56% |
| Utilities | $337 | $398 | -15% |
| Transport | $349 | $120 | +191% |
| Healthcare | $137 | $250 | -45% |
| Monthly Total | $3,046 | $2,350 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 4% 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 Huntsville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $55,000 in Mobile.
| Metric | Huntsville | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 77,273 idx |
| Household Income | $74,714 | $53,558 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Huntsville | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Huntsville | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 61.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Huntsville is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Mobile.
From a growth perspective, Huntsville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Huntsville | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 234,859 | 201,367 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.70% | % |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.30% | 3.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Huntsville
Advantages
Huntsville was ranked the nation's most financially resilient city in 2026, indicating strong economic stability.
The city consistently boasts shorter commute times compared to larger metropolitan areas, with most residents reporting 15-20 minute commutes.
Huntsville ranked 17th out of 200 cities for overall driving safety in 2026, with drivers averaging over 12 years between collisions.
The average cost of assisted living in Huntsville is lower than both the state and national averages.
Huntsville climbed to the No. 2 position in the Milken Institute's 2026 Best-Performing Cities Index, highlighting its economic strength.
Drawbacks
Huntsville's overall crime rate is 35% higher than the national average.
Violent crimes in Huntsville are 35% higher than the national average.
Huntsville drivers rank among the worst in the nation for speeding, according to a 2026 report.
The city is considered less safe than the Alabama state average and the national average in terms of crime rate.
While overall utilities are lower, grocery prices in Huntsville are slightly higher than the national average.
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.
Huntsville
#21Alabama, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,522
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.70%
Unemployment
2.30%
Livability
74
Business
82
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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