CostIndexUSA

Ann Arbor, MI vs Mobile, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Ann Arbor
100.9
overall index
$2,050/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Mobile
88.1
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Mobile is moderately cheaper than Ann Arbor — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Ann Arbor, you would need $69,800 in Mobile. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing52.0%
Ann Arbor
125.3
Mobile
60.1
🛒 Groceries+2.9%
Ann Arbor
93.7
Mobile
96.4
🚗 Transportation2.9%
Ann Arbor
104.5
Mobile
101.5
🏥 Healthcare2.9%
Ann Arbor
94.6
Mobile
91.9
Utilities14.3%
Ann Arbor
98.2
Mobile
84.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Ann Arbor to see what you'd need to earn in Mobile to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Mobile, AL
$69,800
$10,200 less needed in Mobile

Formula: salary × (88.1 ÷ 100.9) = salary × 0.8731. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Home Price
$398,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,050
Housing Index
125.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.2×

Mobile, AL

Median Home Price
$187,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
60.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.5×

Ann Arbor has 52.0% lower housing costs compared to Mobile.

Income & Job Market

Ann Arbor, MI

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.3%
Population
123,851
Top Industries
EducationTechnologyHealthcareManufacturingResearch

Mobile, AL

Median Household Income
$55,400
Per Capita Income
$31,600
Unemployment Rate
3.1%
Population
187,041
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingLogisticsMilitaryAerospace

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Ann Arbor, MI
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Mobile, AL
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.