Performance
Score Breakdown
Mobile
Vestavia Hills
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mobile is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% lower compared to Vestavia Hills.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mobile's average rent is
43% lower than Vestavia Hills's.
| Metric | Mobile | Vestavia Hills | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,132 | $1,975 | -43% |
| Groceries | $450 | $425 | +6% |
| Utilities | $398 | $180 | +121% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $120 | +108% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,850 | -18% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 124 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Vestavia Hills offers similar 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 $62,960 in Vestavia Hills.
| Metric | Mobile | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $68,012 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $62,960 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,273 idx | 54,848 idx |
| Household Income | $53,558 | $134,369 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Mobile | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Vestavia Hills has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Mobile.
For walkability, Mobile leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Mobile | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 22.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 5.2x the population of Vestavia Hills.
From a growth perspective, Vestavia Hills is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Vestavia Hills has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mobile | Vestavia Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,367 | 38,616 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 2.48% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 2.60% |
| 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.
Vestavia Hills
Advantages
Vestavia Hills boasts a top-rated public school system, consistently ranked among the best in Alabama.
The city offers a high quality of life with abundant recreational parks, green spaces, and community events.
Vestavia Hills is considered a very safe community with a high safety score and low violent crime rates.
Residents benefit from a relatively short average commute time of 19.3 minutes.
The median household income of $134,369 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Vestavia Hills is 24% higher than the national average, primarily due to high housing costs.
Housing costs, including both renting and buying, are approximately 90% higher than the national average.
The city is largely car-dependent with low walkability (score of 22) and minimal public transit options.
Employment in Vestavia Hills experienced a decline of -1.89% from 2023 to 2024.
Natural gas prices in Vestavia Hills averaged $23.38 per thousand cubic feet in November 2024, which was approximately 56.6% more than the U.S. average.
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
Vestavia Hills
#3Alabama, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,975
Avg Salary
$68,012
Cost Index
124
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.48%
Unemployment
2.60%
Livability
88
Business
75
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