Dubbed the “Gateway of the Gulf,” Mobile, Alabama, is the seat of Mobile County and boasts a moderate population of 412,000 residents, making it the 4th largest city in the state.
In addition to being the oldest city in Alabama, Mobile is the origin of America’s Mardi Gras.
Given its gulf-side location, the city is the only saltwater port that has played a crucial role in the state’s development.
Mobile has plenty to offer visitors and locals with its old-world charm, family-friendly atmosphere, and high quality of life.
Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of living in Mobile!
Contents
Pros of Living in Mobile
Many advantages exist to living in Mobile, including the following:
One: Excellent Location
Situated only 45 minutes from the Florida border and two hours from New Orleans, Mobile is an excellent location to take beach day trips, attend a sporting event, or enjoy all of New Orleans’s culture.
From the center of town, you can bury your feet in sugary white sand in around 45 minutes, which is a great and easy day trip for those with children.
In under 30 minutes, you can visit the delta searching for alligators.
Mobile’s excellent Gulf Coast location is an often overlooked benefit by visitors and those considering relocation.
Two: Fuel Prices
Fuel prices have risen globally since 2020, but Alabama still has reasonably priced gas.
This is due to the state’s proximity to Texas and Louisiana, where the oil industry is most prevalent.
Reasonable gas prices and short commutes help reduce monthly expenses and fill your tank without taking out another mortgage on the house!
The lower gas prices also reduce the prices of home delivery services, thus saving additional money.
Three: Good Education System
Those unfamiliar with the city are surprised to realize that Mobile has a sound education system.
Most schools in and around the city are solid, with exam scores and high school graduation rates that exceed the national average.
Plenty of public and private schools are scattered throughout Mobile, so it’s easy to find an affordable neighborhood with good school districts.
Like in most places, private schools are generally better than public schools but don’t immediately dismiss the Mobile Public School system as there are numerous excellent options.
Four: Highly Diverse
While the city is almost evenly split between black and white residents, an influx of Latin Americans continues to populate.
Given this explosive diversity, you will likely find your specific cultural group.
One of the best aspects of the inflow of variety is the availability of ethnic restaurants around town.
This allows visitors and locals to enjoy new foods from across the world at their fingertips and exposes their children to new ideas and cultural amenities that they may not otherwise have.
Five: Low Cost of Living
One of the primary drivers for moving to Mobile is affordability, especially in the housing market.
While home prices continue to rise across the U.S., Mobile boasts an average price of $123,600 compared to a national average of around $250,000.
In addition to less expensive home prices, groceries, beverages, utilities, and all the essentials, especially seafood, remain reasonably priced.
A family of four can live comfortably off a livable wage.
Six: Outdoor Activities
Given its location and warm year-round weather, Mobile is an excellent place to engage in numerous outdoor sporting events and activities.
Residents’ most popular activities include surfing, hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking.
Popular hiking and camping spots like the Glen Sebastian Nature Trail, Dayspring South Woods, and the Mobile County River Delta Nature Walk are accessible year-round.
Additionally, the beach is a short drive away for sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, and relaxing.
Seven: Southern Hospitality
Many move from the northern or midwestern states and cities to the south because they enjoy the southern hospitality.
Courtesy, friendliness, and warmth are very prevalent in Mobile, as the city carries a reputation for making newcomers feel at home and welcome.
It’s common to see locals take the time to catch up and have a chat since the sense of community extends throughout the region.
This allows newcomers to have a smooth transition, especially for those who value a friendly atmosphere and close relationships.
Eight: Weather
With the hottest months being July and August, recording average highs of 91 and lows of 71, the lowest average temperature Mobile experiences throughout the year (winter) is low 40s with virtually no snow.
In the rare instance snow ventures across the Gulf states, it disappears within a few hours.
For this reason, many residents in the area are snowbirds who travel north in the summer to escape the heat and remain in Mobile the rest of the year for comfortable temperatures.
Cons of Living in Mobile
Mobile is an excellent choice for relocation, but it’s not all good news as it’s essential also to understand the drawbacks of living here, including the following:
One: Crumbling Infrastructure
Like so many other cities in the Deep South, Mobile faces economic challenges that directly impact infrastructure.
Many areas in the region face high poverty levels, resulting in underinvestment in public services and infrastructure.
As a result, Mobile’s public buildings, bridges, and roads need consistent repair, thus causing increased traffic congestion.
Also, the sewer and water systems are aging, so flooding is problematic in many areas.
The infrastructure challenges are not just inconvenient, but they can also significantly impact the overall quality of life.
Two: Economic Decline
Although Mobile continues implementing city improvement efforts, wages remain low, and unemployment is higher than the national average.
While the official unemployment rate is projected at 5.4%, which seems low, the statistics don’t include underemployment, which means those in specific jobs are overqualified and accepting a lower salary to survive.
Alabama generally has lower wages than most U.S. states, and Mobile has many significant income gaps.
Despite the low cost of living, many struggle to afford daily expenses and pay rent.
On the plus side, the local Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to attract large numbers of employees to the area, with the largest being Airbus.
Three: Expensive Childcare
Although the town boasts a low cost of living, childcare expenses are remarkably high, making raising a family challenging.
As a working parent, your only option may be a daycare center, which averages around $1,000 per month per child.
You will need to earn a healthy wage to afford such services, especially if you have more than one child.
Even dual-income parents struggle with these high childcare costs.
Four: High Crime Rate
One of the greatest downsides to living in Mobile is the high crime rate in certain areas.
Since all mid-to-large cities have crime, it’s important to understand where most crimes occur and avoid those areas.
The good news is that most crime is contained in certain pockets and rarely navigates to other city areas.
Also, the city is aware of the crime-ridden sections.
It has invested heavily in safety resources in recent years to help attract new businesses and residents to this lovely southern town.
Five: Insects
While this may be a minor drawback and not a reason to eliminate relocation, insects, particularly mosquitos, are rampant in the hottest and wettest summer months.
This is due to the proximity to the Gulf and the massive amount of freshwater in the rivers and lakes near the city.
Also, the humidity tends to promote mosquito abundance.
Like anywhere, this is a minor nuance you can easily adjust to.
However, if you’re considering relocating from a drier area with few mosquitos, don’t be surprised in the summer.
Six: Population Movement
Although the city is investing to entice new companies to move to the area, the career opportunities remain slim, and low wages are prevalent.
This means many skilled individuals are leaving Mobile searching for better career options.
There has yet to be a mass movement, but gradual migration is occurring, thus resulting in a population decline.
The city’s temporary solution is growing the population through annexation, which allows Mobile to be eligible for federal grant money for different projects once the population passes 200,000.
Also, the city government is ramping up efforts to train young locals to retain talent.
Seven: Public Transportation
The local mass transit system, Wave, operates several buses in and around the city but needs to be more reliable and expensive to suit the population.
While the routes cover a decent amount of the city, the frequency is a major problem.
Depending on the time of day, some riders must wait for the next bus, making it inconvenient for those relying on mass transit for daily commuting.
Public transit is virtually inaccessible if you live or work outside the primary areas the Wave Transit System serves or require off-peak travel.
Most residents must resort to rideshare services or personal vehicles to live their daily lives.
Eight: Weather
Weather is listed as a pro and a con because it’s incredibly mild and comfortable during the winter but unbearably hot and humid in the summer.
Also, the city experiences 66 inches of rain annually, so it’s a constant factory in Mobile.
Also, the weather is incredibly unpredictable, going from sunny to thunderstorm in moments.
Most residents always carry an umbrella, even when it appears to be a beautiful day.
Additionally, given its location on the Gulf, hurricanes and flooding are a real threat to the area, so it’s important to know what to do when these storms approach.
Pros and Cons of Living in Mobile, AL – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Mobile | Cons of Living in Mobile |
|---|---|
| 1. Excellent Location | 1. Crumbling Infrastructure |
| 2. Fuel Prices | 2. Economic Decline |
| 3. Good Education System | 3. Expensive Childcare |
| 4. Highly Diverse | 4. High Crime Rate |
| 5. Low Cost of Living | 5. Insects |
| 6. Outdoor Activities | 6. Population Movement |
| 7. Southern Hospitality | 7. Public Transportation |
| 8. Weather | 8. Weather |
Mobile Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Mobile Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are homes so inexpensive in Mobile?
Real estate prices are on the lower end of the spectrum due to the price of land and income levels in the area.
Buyers’ financial capability drives the local markets, and the property taxes are some of the lowest in the country, both of which heavily contribute to cheap housing.
What cultural activities exist in Mobile?
The first Mardi Gras in North America was held in Mobile; that tradition remains today.
It’s even an official holiday in Mobile County!
Other activities include the interactive GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, the USS Alabama battleship docked at Battleship Memorial Park, and performance arts venues.
One do-not-miss destination is Bellingrath Gardens and Home, which boasts a historic estate, lake, conservatory, and public gardens.
What's the best aspect of living in Mobile?
The location is one of Mobile’s best aspects.
Whether looking for culture in a major city or to sit on a secluded beach, Mobile is within reach of all activities, from mountains and pine trees in north Alabama to white sandy beaches.
Add in delightful Southern Hospitality and a low cost of living, and the secret about Mobile will soon be out!
What's it like living in Mobile?
Mobile features a burgeoning and laid-back metropolitan waterfront that resembles New Orleans on a smaller scale.
This historic neighborhood has picturesque Spanish Moss and a “let the good times roll” approach to life.
The city has a conservative Southern core.
What is the best way to get around?
Due to the inefficiency of the Wave bus system, most residents rely on cars for daily activities.
This can become challenging due to the numerous causeways, bridges, and tunnels that dot the area due to Mobile Bay.
On weekends, these thoroughfares can become heavily backed up with traffic.
Mobile, AL offers an excellent location for beach trips and outdoor activities, reasonable gas prices, a good education system with diverse cultural amenities and low cost of living; however, it faces challenges such as crumbling infrastructure, economic decline with lower wages and high crime rates in certain areas.