Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Mobile to Phoenix
Based on 2024 ACS 5-year data, Phoenix has higher median income ($81,332 vs $53,558) and higher housing costs (rent $1,582 vs $1,068; home value $420,700 vs $193,300) than Mobile. Phoenix also has a slightly longer commute (28 vs 25 minutes) and applies a 2.50% state income tax in the model, while Mobile’s state tax is excluded per data boundaries. The trade-off reflects Phoenix’s stronger earnings potential offset by elevated living costs and tax considerations, whereas Mobile offers lower income but more affordable housing and shorter commutes, with no modeled state income tax burden in this comparison.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Phoenix → MobileMoving from Mobile to Phoenix
Median Rent Impact
+$514/mo
Moving to Phoenix costs ~$6,168 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+2.5%
~$2,500 more state tax on a $100k salary in Arizona.
Daily Commute Difference
+3 min / day
Difference of ~25 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTMOB → PHX
54/ 100
A close, nuanced move
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$3,416after essentials; unverified state tax excluded
Best gainA balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference
Watch closelyThe $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above Dallas despite similar commute time
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Mobile is about $6,168 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Mobile household income$53,558
Phoenix household income$81,332
Mobile gross rent$1,068
Phoenix gross rent$1,582
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Mobile | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 203,416 | 1,642,323 |
| Median household income | $53,558 | $81,332 |
| Median gross rent | $1,068 | $1,582 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $193,300 | $420,700 |
| State-tax treatment | Excluded | 2.5% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 25 minutes in Mobile and 28 minutes in Phoenix. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Median household income
- Median gross rent
- Median home value
- One-way commute time
- Modeled state income tax
What each city wins
Mobile
Median rent is $1,068/month; median home value is $193,300.. Watch lower home values may reflect tradeoffs in job access or neighborhood amenities not captured in citywide data..
Phoenix
A balanced income-to-rent profile with a low flat state-tax reference. Watch the $420,700 home-value benchmark is materially above dallas despite similar commute time.
Frequently asked questions
How do housing costs compare between Mobile and Phoenix?
Phoenix’s median gross rent is $1,582 per month, 48% higher than Mobile’s $1,068, and median home value is $420,700 versus Mobile’s $193,300, reflecting significantly higher housing expenses in Phoenix.
What role does income and tax play in the cost-of-living comparison?
Phoenix residents earn 52% more in median household income but face a modeled 2.50% state income tax, while Mobile has no state tax in the model; this partially offsets Phoenix’s higher earnings when evaluating net affordability.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. A state-tax value without an approved official reference is excluded and disclosed. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.