Performance
Score Breakdown
Mobile
Prattville
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prattville is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
7% higher compared to Mobile.
| Metric | Mobile | Prattville | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,132 | $1,200 | -6% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $398 | $180 | +121% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,200 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 66% higher 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 Mobile is estimated at
$55,000 vs $55,000 in Prattville.
| Metric | Mobile | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $40,909 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,273 idx | 45,454 idx |
| Household Income | $53,558 | $81,337 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Mobile | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 71.00% |
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 | Mobile | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 24 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 18.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Prattville.
From a growth perspective, Prattville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prattville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mobile | Prattville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,367 | 41,046 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 1.44% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 36.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Prattville
Advantages
The cost of living in Prattville is below the national average, particularly for housing, making it an affordable place to live.
Prattville boasts a high homeownership rate of 67.4% as of 2024, exceeding the national average.
The city has a strong sense of community and is considered family-friendly, with a higher percentage of households with children.
The average commute time of 23.9 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for workers.
Prattville's violent crime rate of 226.0 per 100,000 residents in 2024 is below the national average.
Drawbacks
Prattville is a car-dependent city with a low walkability score of 18 and limited public transportation options.
The city experienced a decline in employment by -2.48% from 2023 to 2024, indicating challenges in job growth.
Despite a lower violent crime rate, the overall crime rate in Prattville is considered higher than the national average when compared to communities of similar size.
Amenities in Prattville received a low grade (D) in one livability assessment, suggesting fewer entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Summers in Prattville can be hot and uncomfortably humid, with average humidity levels around 71-73%.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Prattville
#49Alabama, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$40,909
Cost Index
90
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
18.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.44%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
75
Business
60
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