A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
4%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Mobile Alabama National
Cost of living9088100
Goods & Services9796100
Groceries9796100
Health care10687100
Housing7872100
Transportation9391100
Utilities89102100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Mobile, AL

Knowing the cost of living in Mobile allows individuals to create a realistic budget. This helps them understand how their income will cover expenses and whether they need to make financial adjustments. The cost of living in any region can fluctuate due to various factors. To assess the cost of living consistently across different areas, a national average of 100 serves as the basis for the cost of living index. The cost of living in Mobile stands at 90, marking it 10% lower than the national average.

Everyday expenditures like food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care in Mobile are priced in a manner consistent with other areas. This means that residents of Mobile can anticipate their daily expenses remaining reasonably similar to those in an average city, thereby supporting a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Mobile?

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 15 residents in Mobile to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 40% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 60% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Mobile Affordable?

Is Mobile affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Mobile, for instance, where the median home price falls 27.4% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 8% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Mobile flaunting a median household income of $43,456, 21.4% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Mobile?

Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday goods and services, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Mobile, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4%, and the income tax rates commence at 2%.

Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Mobile, the transportation index is 7.4% lower than the national average.

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly based on the city or state. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor\’s visits, dentist costs, medication costs and specialized care costs can all impact the cost of living. In Mobile, the healthcare costs are 6.3% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Mobile displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Mobile is 2% higher than the Alabama average
  • The cost of living in Mobile is 10% lower than the national average
  • Mobile housing is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • Alabama state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Mobile

See all the best places to live around Mobile

Compare Mobile, AL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$63,441$5,287$1,480$1,903
      Renters$27,758$2,313$648$833
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Mobile, AL, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Mobile homeowners, is $63,441. This would allow for a maximum of $1,480 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $27,758 which would result in a maximum of $648 to be spent on rental costs.

      Alabama Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Alabama 4% 13.5%

      Alabama Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Alabama 2% 5%

      Goods & Services

      Item Mobile National avg. Difference
      Haircut $24.75$24.262.0%
      Beauty Salon $45.72$45.560.4%
      Toothpaste $3.59$3.703.0%
      Shampoo $1.17$1.288.4%
      Movie $10.62$12.1312.4%
      Bowling $17.33$18.003.7%

      Groceries

      Item Mobile National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.76$5.841.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.74$1.5710.7%
      Milk $4.55$4.672.5%
      Potatoes $5.16$4.934.6%
      Pizza $11.24$12.097.0%
      Beer $9.16$10.4112.0%

      Health Care

      Item Mobile National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $122.28$125.682.7%
      Doctor $128.94$135.785.0%
      Dentist $138.76$113.2922.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.07$10.655.4%
      Lipitor $491.22$468.604.8%

      Housing

      Item Mobile National avg. Difference
      Home Price $134,100.00$184,700.0027.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,663.88$2,346.6929.1%
      Apartment Rent $873.00$949.008.0%

      Transportation

      Item Mobile National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.08$3.4611.0%
      Tire Balancing $60.67$59.921.2%

      Utilities

      Item Mobile National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $162.85$193.9916.1%
      Phone $187.62$192.252.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Prichard, AL21,6188218.0%
      Chickasaw, AL5,7578316.8%
      Belle Fontaine, AL4988613.7%
      Bay Minette, AL9,2978712.6%
      Tillmans Corner, AL17,4198812.4%
      Mobile, AL189,994909.6%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Shreveport, LA189,890937.1%
      Cape Coral, FL189,63311211.9%
      McKinney, TX191,19712928.6%
      Frisco, TX188,38714039.8%
      Tempe, AZ191,60711211.8%
      Mobile, AL189,994909.6%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.