Performance
Score Breakdown
Mobile
Madison
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Mobile is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Madison.
Housing costs are a major driver: Mobile's average rent is
17% lower than Madison's.
| Metric | Mobile | Madison | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,132 | $1,358 | -17% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $398 | $223 | +78% |
| Transport | $120 | $150 | -20% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $200 | +25% |
| Monthly Total | $2,350 | $2,381 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Mobile offers 21% 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 Madison.
| Metric | Mobile | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $56,185 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,273 idx | 58,526 idx |
| Household Income | $53,558 | $134,655 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Mobile | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
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 | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 10.0/10 |
| Walkability | 61.0/10 | 17.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Mobile is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Madison.
From a growth perspective, Madison is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Madison has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Mobile | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,367 | 64,029 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 4.40% |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 37.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 2.00% |
| 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.
Madison
Advantages
Madison was ranked as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by Niche in 2025.
The city's overall crime rate is estimated to be 39% below the national average as of 2026, indicating a high level of safety.
The median household income of $134,655 in 2024 is significantly higher than the national average.
Madison's job market is robust, with employment growing by 7.19% from 2023-2024, particularly in the aerospace and technology sectors.
The city is known for its excellent school systems and a highly family-friendly environment.
Drawbacks
Madison exhibits high car dependency with a low walkability score of 17 and very limited public transit options.
Summers in Madison are characterized as long, muggy, and hot, with high humidity levels.
While overall healthcare costs are below the national average, they are slightly above the Alabama state average.
Some southeastern neighborhoods of Madison report higher crime rates compared to the safer central areas.
The median home price of approximately $420,000 in mid-2024 is higher than the average for the state of Alabama.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Mobile
#53Alabama, 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
Madison
#2Alabama, USA
82.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,358
Avg Salary
$56,185
Cost Index
96
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
10.0/10
Walkability
17.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.40%
Unemployment
2.00%
Livability
76
Business
78
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