Decatur, AL vs Mobile, AL

Decatur, AL and Mobile, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Decatur scores 73 while Mobile scores 76 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $861/month compared to $1,029/month in Mobile — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Decatur has cheaper rent, Mobile actually has lower median home values ($170,300 vs $190,500).

Median household income in Decatur is $59,831 compared to $51,090 in Mobile (+17.1%). Decatur offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 24.2% in Mobile.

Climate-wise, Mobile is notably warmer with an average of 69.1°F compared to 61.4°F in Decatur. Mobile receives more rainfall at 60.5" per year compared to 49.5" in Decatur.