Mobile, AL vs Montgomery, AL

Mobile, AL and Montgomery, AL have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.6% difference in their overall index. Mobile scores 76 while Montgomery 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 Mobile is $1,029/month compared to $1,059/month in Montgomery — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mobile has cheaper rent, Montgomery actually has lower median home values ($148,500 vs $170,300).

Median household income in Mobile is $51,090 compared to $55,687 in Montgomery (-8.3%). Montgomery offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mobile spend roughly 24.2% of their income on rent, more than the 22.8% in Montgomery.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (69.1°F vs 66.4°F). Mobile receives more rainfall at 60.5" per year compared to 51.2" in Montgomery.