Mobile vs San Bernardino: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Mobile, Alabama compare to San Bernardino, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Mobile is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 54% lower in Mobile compared to San Bernardino, while rent is 25% lower. State income tax is 5% in AL vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Mobile, AL | San Bernardino, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $158,400 | $347,100 | -54.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $985 | $1,319 | -25.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $48,524 | $61,323 | -20.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $31,328 | $22,865 | +37.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 13.3% | -62.4% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 9.2% | 8.7% | +6.2% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 186,316 | 221,041 | -15.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Mobile
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Bernardino
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Mobile costs $158,400 compared to $347,100 in San Bernardino — a 54% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $985/mo in Mobile vs $1,319/mo in San Bernardino.
- Income: Median household income is $48,524 in Mobile and $61,323 in San Bernardino.
- Taxes: State income tax is 5% in Alabama vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).