Moving to Mobile AL in 2023? Complete Moving Guide

This is a complete guide for Moving to Mobile, AL.
Get all the information you need to know about moving to Mobile, AL.

Should I move to Mobile, Alabama?

This seems a fair question when you are moving anywhere. And the reason is because you don’t have much information about the destination.

When your new destination is Mobile, AL, you don’t need to worry as we’ve got everything you need to know about the city, often nicknamed the ‘Gateway of the Gulf’. Considered one the best places to live and to retire in the entire US, Mobile is affordable in terms of accommodation, transport, and entertainment.

Let’s learn in detail about Mobile, Alabama.

facts of Mobile

Quick facts to know before you move to Mobile, AL

  • Mobile was the first city in Alabama, founded in 1702, 117 years before Alabama became a state.
  • Mobile is the 9th largest port in the United States and the 12th busiest.
  • In 2006, one of the first-ever videos to go viral on YouTube was shot in Mobile, Alabama.
  • The city has a variety of interesting nicknames, including "The Port City," "The Azalea City," "The City of Six Flags," and "The Gateway to the Gulf."
  • It is home to the world's largest public tennis facility, the Mobile Tennis Center, which contains over 50 courts.
  • Mobile is the rainiest city in America, with more than five feet of rain annually.
  • Mobile, as well as all of Alabama, used to be a part of the Mississippi Territory.
  • The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, one of Mobile's most awe-inspiring structures, took 15 years to construct.
  • In 1963, Alabama school children helped to raise the funds to have the USS Alabama moved from Seattle to Mobile.
  • Some of the most impressive US warships were built in Mobile.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Mobile, AL

  • Mobile is affordable in terms of accommodation
  • It rains heavily in Mobile and the weather can be a little challenging
  • Hurricanes are common in the Mountain for its closeness to the Gulf
  • Mobile is an education hub
  • The economy is booming and as a result, the unemployment rate is too low here
  • There is a thriving nightlife here
  • The city’s crime rate is higher than the US average
  • The population is highly diverse and half are Blacks
  • Mobile is considered one of the best cities in the country to retire
  • The city’s public transport system is robust

What's the population of Mobile, Alabama?

The city records a growth in population as its economy is booming and its infrastructure matches with all major US cities. As per the 2020 US census, about 195,111 people reside here which means 1,340.97/sq mi. Mobile is the 138th most populated city in the US and 4th in Alabama. About 23.9% of the population lives below the poverty line. The average household size is 2.4 and the average family size is 3.07.

To know the population of Mobile better, here are a few stats.

  • Mobile’s total population is 195,111
  • The population is made up of 47.7% males and 52.3% females
  • The median age in Mobile is 36.7
  • The city population is made up of 43.5% White, 50.2% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, and 1.5% from two or more races
  • About 2.94% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity
  • The median household size in Mobile is 2.5 persons
  • About 41.1% of the residents are married couples living together
  • On average, 26.7% of the residents are single and have children

How fast can you commute to Mobile, AL?

Moving to Mobile, it is easier to reach the office and back at home as the traffic volume is lesser on roads. The average one-way commute time is 21.9 minutes, which is much shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

Here are the latest stats about how people in Mobile commute to the office regularly.

  • About 85.5% drive their car alone
  • About 7.5% carpool with others
  • About 3.8% work from home
  • Approximately 0.8% take mass transit

Tip: While moving the home, safety of your belongings is the priority and you need a trustworthy mover at your side. Know the top-rated moving companies in Mobile, AL.

What is the weather like in Mobile, AL?

As Mobile is on the Gulf of Mexico, it has a mild subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters. Mobile is one of the wettest cities in the US and it receives about 66 inches of rainfall every year. Mobile also experiences frequent thunderstorms and occasional tropical systems which bring heavy rainfall and higher wind speeds. It doesn’t snow in Mobile. July is the hottest month here while January is the coldest.

We’ve got a few additional facts about the Mobile climate.

  • The city receives about 66 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • Mobile averages 0 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 220 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 114 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
moving to Mobile

Top reasons to move to Mobile, AL

Are you surprised that many people have moved to Mobile in recent years? Here are the reasons.

Since you’re considering moving to Mobile AL, the following are the key reasons people are moving to the city:

  • High livability
  • Affordable housing
  • Racial diversity
  • High government spending
  • High education rate
Mobile pros and cons

Pros & Cons of Moving to Mobile

Mobile has got many reasons that may tempt you to move here. However, it is not that everything is perfect here, instead the city also has its own share of negatives.

And because you’re serious about relocating to Mobile, knowing both the pros and cons of moving to Mobile will help you.

Pros of living in Mobile, AL Cons of living in Mobile, AL
Good foodHigh sales tax
Low trafficHigh hurricane risk
Robust public transport systemHigh risk of storms
More opportunitiesHigh poverty rate
Diverse populationWet weather
Low volcanic risk
Low earthquake risk
Low wildfire risk
Not so hot climate
place to live Mobile

Best places to live in Mobile, Alabama

When you think about moving to Mobile the first question that may pop up in your mind will be –‘where to live?’

We know how serious your concern is and have researched the best neighborhoods in Mobile. Here are the 10 best neighborhoods in Mobile.

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value
1.College Park3,507$284,167
2.Di Grado1,908$238,100
3.Country Club1,931$474,000
4.Hannon Park1,886$176,050
5.Second Creek4,338$214,900
6.Parkhill4,601$307,633
7.Travis2,550$198,300
8.Berkleigh4,219$173,800
9.Claremont2,993$164,700
10.Rolling Acres3,022$152,333

Tip:When you’ve got a home to move in Mobile, AL, getting the best moving quote will be your goal. Request moving company quotes to save on moving cost.

cost of living in Mobile

Cost of living in Mobile Alabama

How much does it cost to live in Mobile? While you decide to relocate to this city in Alabama, the living costs will be a major concern.

However, you can relax as Mobile is cheaper to raise a family. The cost of living here is 82.9. Everything including grocery, utilities, housing, and transport cost lower than the national average.

Take a look at the table below to get a better picture of living costs in Mobile.

Living Expense Mobile Alabama National Average
Overall82.984.1100
Grocery93.694.4100
Health116.7118.9100
Housing51.356.6100
Median Home Cost$176,000$214,000$338,100
Utilities97.5101.2100
Transportation89.285.9100
Miscellaneous82.171100

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How is the housing market in Mobile AL?

Despite the booming economy and growing jobs, accommodation is still affordable in Mobile. If you are to land here in recent times, owning a home or renting would not require robbing a bank. The median home value in Mobile is $176,000, much lower than the national average. While about 36.0% of the city residents stay in rented homes, only 4.0% of homes in the city are available for rent.

We’ve got a few housing facts that will help you.

  • Mobile’s median home cost is $176,000.
  • The median age of Mobile real estate is 45 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 69.4%.
  • Renters make up 36.0% of the Mobile population.
  • About 4.0% of houses and apartments in Mobile are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Mobile, AL

It is true that you’ll be staying at rented homes in the initial years of reaching Mobile and your concern would be about home rent here. Fortunately, home rents are also cheaper here. And to help you know more about it, we’ve collated the rent details here.

  • Mobile’s average rent for a studio apartment is $750
  • Mobile’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $810
  • Mobile’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $1,010
  • Mobile’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,340
  • Mobile’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,430
jobs in Mobile

How is the job market in Mobile, AL?

Mobile claims to be a growing city in terms of economy and this makes it easier to get a job here than most neighboring cities.

While natural gas, aerospace, architecture, and engineering are the most prominent sectors here, jobs are not limited to these but many other sectors too are growing.

We thought that having a few job-related facts in Mobile will benefit you and here are some.

  • The job growth in Mobile has been positive.
  • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 27.2%
  • The unemployment rate here is 6.2%
  • Jobs have increased by 1.5% over the past year
  • The average salary in Mobile is $41,000
  • The median home cost in Mobile is $176,000

Here is a breakdown table to better understand the Mobile job market.

Employment Information Mobile, Alabama United States
The income per Cap$24,827$31,177
Household Income$40,020$57,652
Unemployment Rate6.26.0%
Recent Job Growth-3.26%-6.18%
Future Job Growth21.17%33.51%

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Fastest growing jobs in Mobile, Alabama

As you are in the process of packing the bags to Mobile and the main goal is a job, we thought it would be good to give you an overall idea about the fast-growing jobs in the city. When you have the list, it becomes easier to analyze whether you are fit enough to pick one among them.

Here are the top ten fastest-growing jobs in the city.

Rank Job Title Growth Average salary Openings in 2024
1Computer numerical controller machinist147.4%$36,640490
2Physical therapist assistant146.9%$53,910420
3Physical therapist137.2%$38,187398
4Nurse practitioner137.1%$92,130310
5Occupational therapist133.1%$82,250290
6Aircraft assembler131.6%$51,130201
7Emergency medical technician126.3%$28,620183
8Home health aid119.8%$20,020161
9Personal care assistant116.3%$18,390157
10Web developer114.3%$58,770149

Top career options in Mobile, Alabama?

Once you are in Mobile, your preference will be a job with a decent package. And there is no shortage of jobs with fat paychecks here. When you have a list of such jobs, it becomes easier to search for one. And knowing this, we’ve filtered out the highest-paying jobs in Mobile.

Rank Job Title Average salary Entry level salary
1Family & general practitioners$232,890$143,540
2Chief executives$218,790$123,210
3Dentists, general$187,090$107,540
4Pediatricians, general$169,310$88,300
5Physicians & surgeons, all other$148,650$44,180
6Personal financial advisors$137,310$35,420
7Financial managers$127,360$66,630
8Pharmacists$117,690$74,730
9Sales managers$115,470$51,010
10Chemical managers$114,700$79,340

What's the average salary & income in Mobile, AL?

So what is a decent salary in Mobile? As per the recent stats, any amount above $41,000 is a good salary here. And when you receive $41,000 in your salary account, you’ll be earning more than what half of the population earns here. A good hourly wage in Mobile is $19.71 per hour.

Here are a few informative points related to the average salary and income in Mobile.

  • Mobile’s average annual pay for average jobs is $41,000 a year
  • Mobile’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $19.71 an hour
  • Mobile’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $788per week
  • Mobile’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $3,416 per month
  • Mobile’s top earners (90th percentile) make $85,000 annually

Major industries in Mobile, AL

When your main purpose for moving to Mobile is a job, you would be naturally curious to know the major industries here. Knowing the major industries, it becomes easier to analyze whether moving here is a good idea.

Here is a list of major industries in Mobile, AL

  • Aerospace
  • Shipbuilding
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Construction
  • Retail

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Mobile, AL

We all prefer working at the best company and best here refers to the most ‘employee friendly’. Fortunately, we’ve researched to list out 10 firms in Mobile that rank high in employee satisfaction.

Here’s the list.

  • Infirmary Health
  • Pilot Catastrophy
  • Austal
  • City of Mobile
  • Saad Healthcare
  • Mesastaff Inc
  • CPSI
  • Hargrove Engineers + Constructors
  • Hummingbird Trading
  • Volkert
taxes in Mobile

What are taxes like in Mobile, AL?

After you reach Mobile, your wealth is based on the amount you take home. And this is the salary minus taxes. Your salary might seem to be fat on paper but once the tax is cut, it may look trimmed.

And this makes knowing the tax in Mobile crucial.

Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Mobile, AL.

  • The Sales Tax Rate for Mobile is 9.6%. The US average is 7.3%
  • The Alabama State levies a 5.0% tax on income while the US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Mobile is 0.41%
Mobile to do

What are the best things to do in Mobile, Alabama?

Mobile is a hub of entertainment with plenty of historic, cultural, and art monuments along with amazing natural sports to explore.

And for those who are clueless about the unlimited options to explore in Mobile, we’ve got a list of 10. Here are the 10 top things to do in Mobile.

  • Attend the Mardi Gras festival
  • Wander Down Historic Dauphin Street
  • Eat Oysters at Wintzell’s Oyster House
  • Enjoy the Street Art
  • Quack on the Water With Gulf Coast Ducks
  • Get Your Science on at the Exploreum
  • Step Back in Time at the History Museum
  • Know the war history at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
  • Visit the Richards DAR House Museum
  • Learn cultural history at the Carnival Museum
  • See Bragg-Mitchell Mansion & Bellingrath Mansion

How safe is Mobile, Alabama?

While Mobile ranks high in affordability, education, jobs, and infrastructure, its crime record is poor, making it a major factor that may make you rethink the moving decision. As per police records, Mobile has had one of the highest crime rates among US cities in recent years. Aggravated assaults and robberies make up almost 90% of the violent crimes. The violent crime rate in Mobile is much higher than the national average but about 50% of the residents feel completely safe living here.

To help you know the crime stats in Mobile, we’ve got a few facts.

  • Mobile's violent crime is 30.8 while the US average is 22.7
  • Mobile’s property crime is 67.5 while the US average is 35.4
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 36 in Mobile
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 9 in Mobile
  • About 50% of the population feels safe in Mobile

Tip:Often, you feel like calculating the moving cost before you connect with a moving company. To help you, we've got a free moving cost calculator.

schools in Mobile

What are the top schools in Mobile, Alabama?

If you plan to relocate to Mobile with the family, the education part would be a major concern. And you will be happy to know that Mobile ranks high in education and this is a major factor that makes the city a favorite moving destination.

We’ve researched to prepare a list of the best educational institutions in the city, which may help you once you are here.

Top 5 Public Elementary Schools in Mobile, AL

  • Clark Shaw Magnet School
    Public, K-5 | 7876 students | 10/10

  • Old Shell Creative Performing Art
    Public, K-5 | 394 students | 10/10

  • Eichold-Mertz School Of Math And Science
    Public, K-5 | 445 students | 6/10

  • Hollingers Island Elementary School
    Public, K-5 | 286 students | 6/10

  • Elsie Collier Elementary School
    Public, K-5 | 735 students | 6/10

Top 5 Public Middle Schools in Mobile, AL

  • Phillips Preparatory Middle School
    Public, 6-8 | 755 students | 10/10

  • Bernice J Causey Middle School
    Public, 6-8 | 1,525 students | 5/10

  • Cl Scarborough Middle School
    Public, 6-8 | 527 students | 3/10

  • Burns Middle School
    Public, 6-8 | 527 students | 3/10

  • Elizabeth S Chastan Middle School
    Public, PK-8 | 571 students | 2/10

Top 4 Public High Schools in Mobile, AL

  • Baker High School
    Public, 9-12 | 2,578 students | 8/10

  • W P Davison High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1.628 students | 7/10

  • Murphy High School
    Public, 9-12 | 1,492 students | 7/10

  • Ben C Rain High School
    Public, 9-12 | 686 students | 6/10

  • Lillie B Williamson High School
    Public, 6-12 | 773 students | 3/10

Top colleges and universities in Mobile, AL

  • University of South Alabama

  • Spring Hill College

  • University of Mobile

  • Fortis College

  • Alabama State University Mobile Center

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Mobile a good place to live?

The city with its laidback waterfront area, diverse population, diversity, and thriving nightlife is one of the most preferred places in the country to settle in. Due to unlimited cuisines, nightclubs, entertainment options, and affordability, there is no better place than Mobile in Alabama to settle in.

Is Mobile a cheap city to live in?

Despite the booming economy and growing population, Mobile records a low cost of living. You may get a home here for approximately $176,000, much lower than any place in Alabama. Mobile’s cost of living is 82.9.

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